RWJBarnabas Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network, based in Bethlehem, PA., announced on Thursday a clinical affiliation agreement.
RWJBH and St. Luke’s have signed a three-year joint, renewable agreement to provide patients primarily in northwest New Jersey greater access to the high-quality clinical services, expertise, experience and resources of both of these award-winning, nonprofit health care organizations.
In a press release, RWJ Barnabas said that it is anticipated that in the future, additional areas of cooperation may be identified and pursued, such as clinical trials, medical education and research.
Barry Ostrowsky, president and CEO, RJWBarnabas. – AARON HOUSTON
“This Agreement introduces innovative new opportunities for supporting local communities,” stated Barry Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “We are excited to share expertise and resources, to learn from each other and to become more efficient in the delivery of care.”
Rick Anderson, St. Luke’s president and CEO said, “This innovative, forward-thinking collaboration would not have been realized without the leadership, support and encouragement of RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Barry Ostrowsky and his outstanding leadership team. The RWJBarnabas-St. Luke’s partnership is a model for how two health care systems can cooperate for the common good. Working together, both organizations will be stronger, ensuring residents of Warren and Hunterdon counties enjoy greater access close home to the very best health care.”
The agreement represents neither a merger nor an acquisition, but rather a coordinated effort to promote access to the best and most advanced programs of care provided by the two systems and their physicians – especially for those patients who desire to, or must, have their care provided in New Jersey.
Patients will benefit from coordinated access, including transfer of patients to RWJBH facilities for RWJBH’s advanced programs of care and tertiary and quaternary services provided by hospitals, physicians and other providers affiliated with RWJBH, such as oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, trauma, behavioral health, neurosurgery, home health and OB/women’s health.
Plans include seeking opportunities for clinical integration such as participation in each other’s clinically integrated networks, access to electronic medical records (when permissible) and creating evidence-based clinical programs.
Also planned is collaboration to provide expanded educational opportunities including education of medical students, recruitment of residents and fellows, co-placement of residents, co-sponsorship of fellowships and collaboration on research opportunities.
