Somerset Hospital Announces Plan to Collaborate with the Conemaugh Health System
Somerset, PA (PRWEB) October 11, 2013 -- Somerset Hospital’s Board of Directors has signed a letter of intent to develop a collaborative relationship with the Conemaugh Health System.
“We are very happy to announce our intent to work together with the Conemaugh Health System, a regional healthcare leader. The trend toward hospitals working together rather than competing against one another is not going away,” says Ron Park, Somerset Hospital CEO. “The evolution of healthcare—and increasing market and regulatory pressures—are making collaboration necessary, particularly for community hospitals. Ultimately, the people of the region benefit when resources are used to expand rather than duplicate services. So, in the future you will see more collaboration of healthcare services in general, rather than less.”
Under the proposed collaboration, Somerset Hospital will remain an independent community hospital. The collaboration will enable Somerset and Conemaugh to provide physician services in a way that puts the patient first, and is financially responsible.
“We are excited with this prospective partnership,” says Scott Becker, Chief Executive Officer of the Conemaugh Health System. “Somerset Hospital is a fantastic healthcare organization with a long tradition of providing a high level of compassionate clinical care. With today’s challenging and changing healthcare environment, we feel this potential collaboration is very positive and important for our region.”
Both the Somerset Hospital and Conemaugh Health System Board of Directors have approved a Letter of Intent with the hopes of having a definitive agreement in place by January 1, 2014.
Both Park and Becker agree that a collaborative relationship between Somerset Hospital and the Conemaugh Health System will improve continuity of care, while supporting long term development of affordable health care services for our region.
Michele Beener, P.R. Officer, Somerset Hospital, +1 (814) 443-5804, [email protected]
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