Eyerly Ball, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines to partner in affiliation

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Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services and UnityPoint Health-Des Moines announced today they have signed a letter of intent to explore an affiliation to bring the two organizations together to better serve the physical and behavioral health needs of residents in Central Iowa.


“Eyerly Ball and UnityPoint Health-Des Moines have a common mission and vision to improve the health of the people and communities we serve,” said Cynthia Steidl Bishop, CEO of Eyerly Ball. “Together, we will develop more integrated models of care, treating the whole patient — mind, body and spirit — to achieve improved patient outcomes and better community health.”


Bishop said the affiliation would enable Eyerly Ball to remain a locally run community health organization while gaining the benefits of a broader system’s services, experience and expertise. “This is good for our clients, employees, providers and our local economy,” she said.


Behavioral health has consistently ranked among the top health care needs throughout the communities of Central Iowa, yet the demand for services has far outweighed the supply of behavioral health care services. Despite the increased need for behavioral health services, many health care organizations no longer provide those services because they are difficult to sustain operationally and financially.
 
The two organizations said they have engaged in discussions and shared information over the past several months to determine whether an affiliation would benefit both organizations and, most importantly, the people and communities they serve.


The letter of intent, which was approved by the volunteer boards of both organizations, will be the framework for writing the final affiliation agreement over the coming months. In a statement, UnityPoint Health said the proposed affiliation will not affect the ownership of the hospital, its governance, administration or management.


“Like Eyerly Ball, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines has a culture of patient-focused care, community-minded spirit and high-quality health care. In the affiliation, UnityPoint Health will provide resources to Eyerly Ball, supporting and enhancing the services provided to the community. Eyerly Ball will be an outstanding addition to the UnityPoint Health family.”