UPMC South Side to merge with Mercy uptown

UPMC South Side will be merging with Mercy Hospital over a five year period, UPMC announced. The merger will begin in July of 2009, with Mercy Uptown receiving $75-$90 million for expansion projects. The renovations will include a rehabilitation "center of excellence." The merger is not being done for financial reasons, considering each hospital made a profit last year. Employees who do not move from the South Side to Mercy will have the option of obtaining other positions throughout the UPMC network.