 Two large health care organizations are planning on joining together. The evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and Sanford Health today announced plans to merge together as a combined enterprise. The society membership and Sanford Health's Board of Directors have approved the merger of the two organizations. That paves the way for the regulatory review process to begin. Sanford Health has 28,000 employees in nine states. The Good Samaritan Society has 19,000 employees in 24 states. Well, we've known each other over many, many years to have these two large organizations right here in Sioux Falls and to vision together what we think will change health care delivery in this country by really providing a lifespan of care to those that we serve. Again, not able to do it without the other and to be innovative in that process, to be bold in that process, to perhaps not only serve in communities we're serving today and expanding on that, but perhaps even new communities that neither one of us are currently at. So, I can't be more thrilled on behalf of the Good Samaritan Society. Represents a unique opportunity to combine these two great organizations. It'll make both of us more sustainable, more vibrant, and more exciting for our people and better solutions for the people we serve. The goal is to merge the organizations by January 1st of 2019. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.