Grinnell Regional Medical Center plans partnership with UnityPoint Health, UI Health Care
BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Nov 14, 2016 | 4:37 pm
2 min read time
397 wordsAll Latest News, Health and WellnessGrinnell Regional Medical Center officials announced this morning they will sign a letter of intent with UnityPoint Health-Des Moines and University of Iowa Health Care that would allow those health systems to provide services to the Grinnell area through a new relationship.
The organizations said that while details of the proposed relationship remain to be determined, the goal is “to bring the best of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines and UI Health Care to Grinnell to enhance the care that is offered to the Grinnell community.” That could include enhancing specialty services, telemedicine, research and educational opportunities, as well as introducing insurance products and direct-to-employer programs.
Additionally, the anticipated partnership will allow the three organizations to share quality data and standardized best-practice treatment protocols across the continuum of care. The organizations said the agreement will preserve the local board’s role in leadership and governance of the medical center.
“We are excited to partner with Grinnell Regional Medical Center and have a great deal of respect for the long tradition of care they have in the community,” said Eric Crowell, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. “With the changing direction of health care it is increasingly important for organizations and systems to collaborate and partner in order to continue to provide quality affordable health care.”
Grinnell Regional Medical Center is a private, nonprofit and non-tax-supported medical center that serves more than 40,000 residents in a six-county rural area of east-central Iowa. It operates a 49-bed hospital with 50 physicians and allied health care professionals, 350 employees and more than 200 volunteers.
“As a regional hospital, we are in the quality of life business,” said Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “The opinion of the GRMC board is that the joint proposal has the best potential to ensure the quality of life of the residents of the greater Grinnell service area. Both UnityPoint Health and UI Health Care are excellent organizations with outstanding brand recognition and a wide array of support services that will enhance what we do locally.”
The health systems said formal discussions will start immediately, but did not provide a timeline for completing the due diligence process.
The proposed partnership comes on the heels of an announcement two weeks ago by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines that it is exploring an affiliation with Eyerly Ball Community Health Services to improve behavioral health services in Central Iowa.
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