Roanoke-based Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge has announced it will merge with the larger Planned Parenthood Health Systems, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C.

The merger of the two nonprofit organizations means the assets and liabilities of Roanoke Planned Parenthood will be absorbed without an exchange of money.

Walter Klausmeier, president and chief executive officer of Raleigh's Planned Parenthood, said he expects "no to minimal downsizing" of the 40-employee Roanoke operation, which has four locations. He also said the Roanoke facilities will retain their current brand name.

David Nova, president and chief executive officer of the Roanoke organization, will remain here with the title of vice president of the merged entities.

The merger, effective June 30, will also combine Roanoke Planned Parenthood's income of roughly $2 million a year with the Raleigh group's $6.5 million.

Klausmeier said the merger will improve the efficiency of certain activities, which include clinics that provide, among other things, first-trimester abortions and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

Medical treatment provides much of Planned Parenthood's income, but some money also comes from grants and donations. Medical services for indigent patients are often provided without charge.

The four Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge health centers see about 10,000 patients a year, compared with 25,000 at facilities under the Raleigh group's control.

Mergers of neighboring Planned Parenthood organizations have become common around the nation in recent years.

The territories of the Raleigh and Roanoke groups don't overlap but do share partial borders.

Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge currently covers the western half of Virginia with clinics in Roanoke, Blacksburg, Lynchburg and Charlottesville.

The Raleigh-based Planned Parenthood has eight clinics in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia.