Saint Peter’s Healthcare System in New Brunswick and West Orange-headquartered RWJBarnabas Health said Thursday they signed a definitive agreement outlining their intention to integrate the two health care systems.

The announcement comes less than a year after the parties signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic partnership.

Under the agreement, which is subject to a period of review by state and federal regulatory agencies and approval by the Catholic Church, Saint Peter’s would remain as a full-service provider of acute health care services and would continue its longstanding mission and identity as a Catholic hospital in adherence with the standards of care articulated in the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

RWJBH has committed to making significant strategic capital investments in facilities, technology and innovation to enhance and expand the clinical services provided at Saint Peter’s, according to the announcement.

“We are truly excited about the potential of this opportunity to integrate with RWJBarnabas Health to create a premier academic medical center of national distinction in which Saint Peter’s will share responsibility for leadership and governance,” said Saint Peter’s President Leslie Hirsch in a prepared statement. “We look forward to collaborating with RWJBarnabas Health and immediately undertaking the planning needed to make this vision a reality while also continuing our ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with community physicians.”

Saint Peter’s put out a Request for Proposal in October 2018 seeking a strategic partner to help the institution maintain its Catholic mission and identity in an increasingly changing and competitive health care market.

“Catholic health care in Central New Jersey is needed in our day. Our connection with the RWJBarnabas Health System is intended to bolster our ability to provide this Christ-inspired, human person-centered health care to the individuals and communities that we are so honored to serve, protecting and promoting the lives of all. We seek to bring all the medical science and the compassionate love that Christ mandated to every woman, man, and child entrusted to our care,” said Bishop James Checchio of the Diocese of Metuchen, who will continue to provide church sponsorship and oversight to the hospital.

RWJBH Chief Executive Officer and President Barry Ostrowsky said that when the integration is finalized, they will have the “necessary foundation for the creation of our state’s first and only premier academic medical center.”