The announcement comes after a three-year search to identify healthcare systems that wanted to partner and merge with the local hospital,HRMC board Chair Bob Patterson said at a press conference announcing the plan. “We pursued systems and they gave us a quality presentation. We visited a hospital in the Novant system and talked to community leaders.”

Patterson said the partnership and ultimate merger stave off further staff changes. “We're looking at no changes in the immediate future and positive changes thereafter.”

Novant, according to a statement, is a four-state integrated network of physician practices, outpatient centers and hospitals that consist of more than 1,100 physicians and 24,000 employees.

HRMC, according to Novant President Mark Billings, becomes the 23rd hospital in the system.

Will Mahone, president of HRMC, said at the beginning of the press conference, held at HRMC, back in 2010 a planning committee recognized the need for long-range planning, assessing the needs of the community and the physicians. The result of assessment, he said, was, “We may not have the stability five years from now.”

Said Patterson: “We wanted to do what's best for the community.”

In the end, the hospital's board turned to Novant and on Wednesday the hospital's board approved an initial management services agreement that include at least a year of examining records and books with the plan from there to enter into a full merger, Patterson said. “There's a lot of work to do between now and when we say we have fully negotiated.”

Billings said the HRMC board was thorough. “I'm honored and appreciative and thankful how deliberate and meticulous the board was in this process. They did their homework.”

Novant has hospitals that stretch from the suburban Washington, D.C., area to Savannah, Georgia, Billings said. The closest facility is the Franklin Medical Center in Louisburg.

“I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with you in delivering a remarkable patient experience.”

Chan Badger, medical director for Novant, said physicians actively participate in strategic planning within the system. “We look forward to partnering with you.”

Somaseskhara Balla, HRMC chief of staff, said, “I think this will be a very good partnership for the physicians in the community.”

“Novant Health is committed to developing relationships with strategic partners to strengthen healthcare services and make healthcare services affordable for all,” Carl S. Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, said in a statement. “Halifax Regional Medical Center’s mission to provide excellent and compassionate healthcare aligns with the guiding principles at Novant Health. We are excited about working closer with Halifax Regional to improve affordability and make healthcare remarkable for the residents in the communities we serve.”

The management agreement is expected to begin in March.