Regulatory entities approved the merger between Butler Health System and Clarion Healthcare System this week, paving the way for a Dec. 1 integration.

Starting next month, Clarion Health System (CHS) joins Butler Health System (BHS) as a subsidiary. Administrators for the two hospital groups signed an executive agreement in July to begin the merger after announcing plans in February.

The new partnership provided limited details on the timeline for merging after Dec. 1, but BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther said new signs and branding will start appearing at Clarion Hospital during the week of Dec. 1.

Panther shared a new logo for the hospital that includes the words Butler Health System along with Clarion Hospital.

BHS employs more than 2,500 people, including about 200 physicians and advanced providers.

Panther confirmed there are no plans to shrink staffs at either of the hospital groups' facilities.

“There are no staff changes, and yes, BHS and CHS will retain their teams,” Panther said Thursday.

CHS includes Clarion Hospital, Health Services of Clarion, Clarion Development Corp. and Clarion Hospital Foundation.

In addition to a 24-hour emergency department, CHS also has an eight-bed inpatient rehab center, women's health and birthing services, an advanced wound healing hyperbaric center, sleep lab, ICU and a cancer center.

BHS includes 72 outpatient locations in eight counties. It is one of the largest employers in Butler County.

Butler Memorial Hospital is a 326-bed, acute-care facility with a broad range of surgical, medical, emergency and psychiatric services.

The merger is one of two hospital mergers regionally this year. Grove City Medical Center and Allegheny Health Network are also in the process of merging.

The regulatory bodies that approved the merger included Pennsylvania's Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.