Lifespan, Care New England and Brown University agree to form an academic health system Attempts to merge these health systems date back years, but up until now the deal never went through. , Associate Editor After years of back and forth negotiations, the Providence Rhode Island-based health systems Lifespan and Care New England have signed a definitive agreement to merge and create an integrated academic health system with Brown University. The soon-to-be-formed health system will combine Lifespan's Rhode Island, Miriam, Hasbro, Newport and Bradley hospitals and Care New England's Women & Infants, Kent and Butler hospitals with Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School.