Newton Medical Center announced today its Board of Directors had authorized hospital management to enter into "exclusive discussions" with Piedmont Healthcare aimed at formalizing a relationship between the two organizations.

"Piedmont Healthcare and Newton Medical Center share a history of supporting our respective communities with high-quality, patient-centered care and we are excited about the great potential of working together," Newton Medical CEO James F. Weadick said.

Newton Medical announced in September that it was seeking an equity relationship with a larger healthcare system in the metropolitan Atlanta area. In the time since then, the hospital received and evaluated proposals from several potential partners before selecting Piedmont.

Weadick said both Newton Medical and Piedmont are "bound by a confidentiality agreement, so we cannot discuss details at this time, but more information will be released as it is appropriate to do so."