Hospitals announce partnership agreement

ROME, N.Y.>> Rome Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health have finalized an affiliation agreement entering into a collaborative relationship in pursuit of mutual goals to expand patient access to needed services in the community.

“St. Joseph’s Health shares our commitment to providing patients with high-quality, patientcentered care that is coordinated and easily accessible,” said RMH President and Chief Executive Officer David Lundquist. “The signing of the affiliation agreement provides the principles for RMH to work together with St. Joseph’s Health in collaboration to deliver the highest level of quality healthcare services to meet the needs of our patients.”

“We are very excited about our relationship with Rome Memorial Hospital because it creates a seamless connection between our healthcare systems, improving patients’ access to the highest level of care,” said St. Joseph’s President and CEO Leslie Paul Luke, who succeeded Kathy Ruscitto. “St. Joseph’s and RMH share the mutual goal of making health care more accessible in local communities by coordinating resources.”

RMH and St. Joseph’s announced plans to affiliate less than a year ago and progress has already been made toward creating a regional integrated health care delivery network. RMH and its affiliated physician practices joined St. Joseph’s Accountable Care Organization and Clinically Integrated Network, which were formed to achieve healthcare’s

“Triple Aim” to improve the patient experience of care, improve the health of populations, and reduce the per capita cost of health care.

In particular, RMH was impressed with St. Joseph’s cardiac services and commitment to expanding primary care.

“Ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for heart surgery, St. Joseph’s is recognized for its focus on expanding communitybased primary care to improve the overall health of the people it serves,” Lundquist said. “Working with St. Joseph’s will provide our own physicians and staff with much needed support and resources to ensure that our patients have access to a full continuum of services. The collaboration will also enhance the coordination of care for our patients so it is easier for them to navigate the healthcare system. Whether they receive care here close to

RMHwill continue to operate as an independent, separately licensed hospitalwith community representatives providing strong local governance. The hospital’s employees and physicians will continue their tradition of providing exceptional care to their patients.

home or needmore specialized care, they will be reassured knowing we have the resourceswithin the collaborative network to provide the care they need.”

Luke reiterated the importance of an interconnected healthcare network to ensure the best service for patients.

“Delivering high quality care in home communities is best for the patient,” said Luke. “When open heart surgery or tertiary care is needed and a patient must come to St. Joseph’s, our partners will have a direct connection to our awardwinning services, which will help them provide their patients with the best care possible in their home communities.”

RMH will continue to operate as an independent, separately licensed hospital with community representatives providing strong local governance. The hospital’s employees and physicians will continue their tradition of providing exceptional care to their patients.

“The hospital’s Board of Trustees and executive leadership team are excited to build a relationship with St. Joseph’s because we share the same commitment to deliver exceptional care for our patients and their families,” Lundquist said.