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The boards of directors of two Valley health care companies have signed off on a deal to form a system-wide affiliation. Scottsdale Healthcare and John C. Lincoln Health Network earlier this year announced plans to form Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network. The new entity will include five hospitals and 3,700 physicians among other resources.

Officials from both companies said the affiliation is not a merger, because it is not combining the assets of the two companies, but a board made up of the two companies directors will manage the affiliated assets. Officials said the arrangement will give patients more convenient access to acute and preventative care.

The affiliation is expected to become official on Oct. 1.