St. Luke’s and RWJBarnabas Health team up to serve New Jersey patients

St. Luke’s University Health Network and RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a three-year agreement to give patients primarily in northwest New Jersey more access to the health systems’ clinical services and resources.

The agreement, which is renewable, is expected to lead to more cooperation with such things as clinical trials, research and medical education, St. Luke’s said in a news release Thursday.

Rick Anderson, St. Luke’s president and CEO, credited RWJBarnabas President and CEO Barry H. Ostrowky and his leadership with making the collaboration a reality.

St. Luke’s stressed that the agreement is not a merger or acquisition but a coordinated effort to promote access to the systems’ programs and physicians, especially for patients who want to remain in New Jersey for care.

The agreement allows for the transfer of patients to RWJBarnabas facilities for oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, trauma, behavioral health, neurosurgery, home health, OB/women’s health and other services.

RWJBarnabas bills itself as New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health care system.

By teaming up with RWJBarnabas, Fountain Hillbased St. Luke’s will expand its reach, which extends to 11 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

RWJBarnabas Health has more than 33,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns.

Recently it partnered with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system, according to the news release.

St. Luke’s has 15,000 employees serving 10 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient sites.

It educates medical students through a partnership with Temple University.

— Christine Schiavo