Harris Health System Joins UHC as New Principal Member

CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UHC, an alliance of 119 academic medical centers and 283 of their affiliated hospital organizations, announces that Harris Health System of Harris County, Texas, has become UHC's newest member.

"We are pleased about our collaboration with UHC," said David S. Lopez, president and chief executive officer of Harris Health System. "As a health system dedicated to providing the highest quality patient-centered health care, we look forward to working with UHC to further that commitment to our patients."  

Harris Health System is a fully integrated health care system that cares for all residents of Harris County. It is the first accredited health care institution in Harris County and one of the largest in the country to be designated as a "medical home." Harris Health System joins UHC's alliance of academic medical centers, which also includes 283 general members—community and other hospitals that are affiliated with principal member organizations.

"We are thrilled that Harris Health System has joined UHC," said Irene M. Thompson, UHC's president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to their participation in our extensive performance improvement programs."

UHC offers an array of performance improvement products and services, including databases that provide comparative data in clinical, operational, faculty practice management, financial, patient safety, and supply chain areas. UHC also offers educational programs and opportunities for members across the country to share knowledge and best practices.

About UHC

UHC, formed in 1984 and located in Chicago, Ill, is an alliance of the nation's leading nonprofit academic medical centers, which are focused on delivering world-class patient care. UHC fosters collaboration with and among its 119 academic medical center and 283 affiliated hospital members through its renowned programs and services in the areas of comparative data and analytics, performance improvement, supply chain management, strategic research, and public policy. UHC helps its members achieve excellence in quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit uhc.edu.

About Harris Health System

Harris Health System (harrishealthsystem.org) is the community-owned health care system for the nation's third most-populous county with its focus on primary care, wellness, and prevention offered through its network of 44 inpatient and outpatient healthcare locations across Harris County. Harris Health is a recipient of the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered medical homes. The system is staffed by physician faculty and residents from nationally ranked medical schools, Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

SOURCE UHC