The Reading (Pa.) Hospital and Medical Center has reached an agreement to acquire the Surgical Institute of Reading. The deal, which is subject to review by state health officials and the attorney general, is expected to close during the summer, according to a jointly issued announcement. The Surgical Institute's more than two dozen doctors will remain independent, but its 125 nurses and support workers will join the hospital's payroll, according to the news release. The hospital will gain expanded surgical capacity with the deal.

"We are excited to be joining a strong and revitalized Reading Hospital, which will allow us to enhance our technology and expand our clinical practice, while ensuring the same high quality and personalized care that has characterized the institute since our founding," Dr. John Martin, chairman of the board of the Surgical Institute, said in the release.