JAMESTOWN – WCA Hospital officials have decided to integrate with UPMC health care network to expand access to quality health care services.

WCA Hospital will be the first state hospital to sign an affiliation to integrate agreement with the world-renowned UPMC. On Thursday, WCA and UPMC officials made the announcement of the health care integration while signing a ceremonial agreement. Betsy T. Wright, WCA Hospital president and chief executive officer, said the state still needs to approve the integration agreement between the two medical providers. She said that is expected to happen next year. Upon state approval, expected between June and December 2016, the new name for the health care facility will be UPMC Chautauqua at WCA.

”The greatest benefit of the affiliation agreement is keeping high-quality care close to home,” Wright said. ”The integration will not only strengthen WCA as the foremost provider of health care in Jamestown and the surrounding region, but will provide an even greater opportunity moving forward into our future to offer additional specialty services and programs to the benefit of the communities we serve.”

The signing of a strategic affiliation agreement in August 2012 had already partnered the two health care organizations.

”That partnership has flourished, resulting in where we are today,” said Jim Fiorenzo, UPMC Hamot president. ”We look forward to working even more closely together with our colleagues at WCA to continue improving care coordination and delivery of services, increasing patient stratification, assisting with recruitment and retention of outstanding physicians, and upgrading facilities, programs and infrastructure, including information technology and electronic medical records capabilities.”

The integration agreement was approved by board members and leaders from the two organizations on Wednesday. For more than five years, the WCA Board of Directors and leadership have been diligently exploring strategic opportunities to enhance and expand the care the hospital provides while addressing the challenges of the changing health care field. After a multi-year study assessing the future of health care for Jamestown and the region, the WCA board and leaders decided that a partnership with UPMC ensures continued quality access to health care for years to come.

”Today is an important and historic day for WCA Hospital and our community,” said Steve Kilburn, WCA Hospital Board of Directors chairman. ”As hospitals face increasing pressures and challenges in the current health care environment, some communities are experiencing significant reductions in access to local health care services. At WCA, we are responding to the challenges in ways that will not only maintain health care services in Jamestown, but position us to strengthen and grow service in the years to come. WCA’s integration with UPMC, one of the premier health care systems in the nation, is a major step toward a strong future for health care in our community.”

As part of the agreement, UPMC has committed to invest at least $25 million during the next 10 years to support enhancements. UPMC has also agreed to relieve WCA’s debt and cover its pension obligations, freeing up money for WCA developments.

”We are thrilled to welcome WCA Hospital into the UPMC network,” said Leslie C. Davis, UPMC senior vice president and executive vice president and chief operating officer for UPMC health services division. ”UPMC has a long track record of successful affiliations with outstanding community hospitals who share our vision and mission to extend world-class patient care, keeping it close to home, in the communities where it is needed.”

Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, which is going through financial turmoil, is working in a consulting agreement w