From Berks Community Health Center and Union Community Care
Photo courtesy of Julia Zyablova on Unsplash
Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) and Union Community Care today announced that their Boards of Directors have approved an agreement expressing their intent to merge. The proposed merger, which remains subject to regulatory review and approval, brings together two mission-driven community health centers with a shared commitment to accessible, high-quality care.
Patients can continue receiving care from their established healthcare teams at BCHC’s current locations, with no immediate changes to scheduled services. Throughout the review and integration process, both organizations remain committed to uninterrupted patient care and clear communication with employees, patients, and community partners.
As healthcare needs and the environment surrounding community health centers continue to evolve, BCHC’s Board of Directors began considering how the organization could build on its local strengths while positioning community-based care in Berks County for the years ahead.
The Board chose to explore a mission-aligned partnership proactively, with clear priorities: maintain BCHC’s community identity, support its employees and healthcare teams, and strengthen its ability to meet the changing needs of patients.
BCHC approached Union Community Care to explore this opportunity. The organizations then completed an extensive due diligence process, evaluating financial performance, clinical operations, governance, organizational culture, and strategic alignment. That work confirmed a strong shared mission as well as complementary experience and capabilities.
Together, the Boards concluded that pursuing a merger offers a thoughtful path forward — one that respects what each organization has built while creating greater capacity to serve their communities over time.
“This decision reflects careful planning for the future of community healthcare in Berks County,” said Dr. D. Michael Baxter, Chair of the Berks Community Health Center Board of Directors. “BCHC approached Union Community Care because we saw an organization that shares our mission, respects the relationships we have built, and understands the value of locally informed care. After a thorough review, we believe joining together gives both organizations an opportunity to learn from one another and build an even stronger foundation for the communities we serve.”
If the proposed merger receives regulatory approval, Berks Community Health Center will continue serving the community under its trusted name as Berks Community Health Center — powered by Union Community Care. Patients can continue receiving care from their established healthcare teams at BCHC’s current locations, with no immediate changes to scheduled services.
The proposed partnership would bring together BCHC’s local relationships and knowledge of the Berks community with Union Community Care’s regional experience and operational infrastructure. The organizations will approach integration carefully, with opportunities to share expertise, strengthen systems, support employees, and plan for future community health needs.
“BCHC invited us to explore this opportunity, and we approached that invitation with respect for what its employees, clinicians, and community partners have built,” said Alisa Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Community Care. “Our organizations share a belief that care should remain accessible, local, and shaped by the communities we serve. This proposed merger is an opportunity to bring our strengths together while continuing to listen, learn, and plan responsibly for the future.”
The proposed merger remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. Integration planning is underway, and both organizations are committed to keeping employees, patients, and community partners informed throughout the transition.
About Berks Community Health Center
Established in 2012, Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) is a freestanding, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to improving access and health outcomes within Berks County. BCHC’s mission is to deliver coordinated, comprehensive primary, preventive, and specialty healthcare services to all residents, regardless of their economic status or ability to pay. Operating multiple brick-and-mortar locations in Reading alongside a mobile medical unit, BCHC provides a patient-centered medical home recognized nationally for high-quality care and service excellence. For more information, visit berkschc.net.
About Union Community Care
With over 50 years of experience serving central Pennsylvania, Union Community Care provides hyper-local healthcare to the Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester county communities. They offer family medical care, urgent care, dental care, school-based health care, behavioral health, social support services, and pharmacy services to everybody, with or without insurance. They currently operate 25 locations and a Mobile Care Team, all of which offer different programs and payment plans that keep their services affordable and convenient for anyone who needs to get and stay healthy. For more information, visit unioncommunitycare.org
