WEBSTER CITY – Van Diest Medical Center announced Tuesday that it expects Webster City Medical Clinic to become a part of its health service as early as this year.

According to a press release from VDMC, Webster City Medical Clinic has signed a letter of intent with Van Diest.

“With this preliminary agreement in place, the expectation is that WCMC will join with the Van Diest Family Health Clinic team to become one comprehensive primary care practice serving Hamilton County,” the press release states.

While there are many details remaining in order to complete the agreement, officials said a full transition to one entity is anticipated during the third quarter of the calendar year 2016.

The mutual decision to pursue the opportunity comes after many months of thoughtful and collaborative discussions, according to the press release.

“We know that unifying the two practices will strengthen both organizations and is the right thing to do to ensure that access to healthcare for Hamilton County residents and those living in surrounding areas continues well into the future,” VDMC Chief Executive Officer Lori Rathbun said.

“The physicians and staff at Webster City Medical Clinic are all outstanding healthcare providers who have worked to care for the needs of our community for over 40 years. For these and the countless other contributions they have made to our community, we are elated for the opportunity to join forces and continue carrying out this long-standing tradition of high quality, compassionate care,” she said.

Dr. Subhash Sahai, a founding doctor at Webster City Medical Clinic, supports the venture, according to the press release.

“Our focus is to move from competitive to cooperative efforts to provide seamless care to our patients with synergies that would not be possible otherwise,” Sahai said.

Van Diest Medical Center opened a new 16,400-square-foot medical clinic building adjacent to its main medical facility in Webster City on May 9.