Cadence Health and Rockford Health System Announce Intent to Combine

Enhanced Cadence system would create a leading multi-regional health system

ROCKFORD, Ill., and WINFIELD, Ill., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cadence Health and Rockford Health System (RHS) announced today the intent to combine systems to form an enhanced Cadence Health that would offer access to care in more than 40 locations including Central DuPage Hospital, Delnor Hospital, Rockford Memorial Hospital and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital.  

RHS and Cadence Health's desire to partner together is based on a variety of factors, including a mutual commitment to increase the depth and breadth of clinical capabilities in all service areas, maintain strong relationships with physicians, improve each organization's efficiencies in delivery of care, as well as an opportunity to formulate an inclusive governance structure responsive to the needs of each region served by the health system.

During the next several months, RHS and Cadence Health will work to further define the potential partnership, which remains subject to regulatory review and approval.

"The Rockford Health System Board of Directors has engaged in a deliberate, comprehensive and strategic process to identify a partner to further strengthen the clinical services we provide to Rockford and the region," said Gary Kaatz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rockford Health System.  "Cadence and Rockford Health System match up on all criteria, including commitment to local governance, superior clinical services and best practices, and a focus on community benefit."

Rockford Health System is the largest and most comprehensive health system serving northwestern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, providing nearly 1 million patient encounters a year through Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford Health Physicians, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital.  In addition to its leading programs in adult, neonatal, maternal and pediatric critical care, Rockford Memorial Hospital also is distinguished by its numerous quality award recognitions, including receiving the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award in six of the last seven years and having been named for two consecutive years to the U.S. News & World Report list of "Best Regional Hospitals."

"Rockford Health and Cadence Health are like-minded organizations, both with a singular vision of providing excellent patient care with outstanding clinical outcomes guided by the highest standards of quality and safety," said Mike Vivoda, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cadence Health. "Together, we can build a leading multi-regional health system that meaningfully improves access to care, elevates quality, and lowers cost to deliver the best care and value to the communities we serve."    

Cadence Health is a health system focused on delivering excellent health care to the more than 1.1 million patients in Chicago's western suburbs. Cadence Health's Central DuPage Hospital and Delnor Hospital are award-winning hospitals and have been ranked as two of the Best Hospitals in Chicago and Illinois.  Both hospitals have achieved Magnet® recognition for excellence in nursing services from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

About Cadence Health

Cadence Health was formed in March 2011 as a result of the merger between Central DuPage Health System based in Winfield, Ill., and Delnor Community Health System based in Geneva, Ill. Cadence Health is a locally based, locally governed health system focused on delivering excellent health care to the more than 1.1 million patients in Chicago's western suburbs. For six of the past seven years (2006-2010, 2012), Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) has been selected by Truven Health Analytics as one of the "100 Top Hospitals in the U.S." Delnor Hospital recently received accreditation by the American College of Surgeon's National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers for the Delnor Center for Breast Health. CDH and Delnor currently maintain affiliations with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago for pediatric specialty care and Cleveland Clinic for cardiac surgery, adult medical oncology, and cardiology services. Both hospitals have achieved Magnet® recognition for excellence in nursing services from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Cadence Health employs more than 7,400 professionals providing care across an interdependent network of healthcare organizations. Cadence Health also includes Cadence Physician Group, a local network of more than 250 primary care physicians and specialists on the medical staff at CDH or Delnor Hospital. For more information or to find a doctor, please visit www.cadencehealth.org.

 About Rockford Health System

Founded with the establishment of Rockford's first hospital in 1883, Rockford Health System has grown to become the Rockford region's largest and most comprehensive health system.  RHS comprises: Rockford Memorial Hospital, a regional, tertiary care hospital with 396 licensed beds and a medical staff of more than 440 physicians; the Rockford Health Physicians physician group with 168 physicians in 34 medical specialties; the Visiting Nurses Association, providing home care, hospice and medical equipment; its fundraising arm, the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation; and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, a 55-bed freestanding rehabilitation hospital.

The leader in providing care for the region's most critically ill patients, Rockford Memorial Hospital is home to Level 1 Trauma Center, the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as well as the region's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  Recognized for excellence in surgery, Rockford Memorial Hospital provides one of the most experienced da Vinci robotic surgery programs in the state. 

Rockford Memorial Hospital has consistently been recognized as the region's leader for outstanding quality and patients outcomes.  Rockford Health System has received the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award six times in the last seven years, placing it among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for patient safety.  Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Rockford Memorial Hospital has been named by U.S. News & World Report on its list of "Best Regional Hospitals." Most recently, the hospital was recognized by HealthGrades with eight five-star awards for its outcome performance in spine surgery, pulmonary care, critical care, heart care, and gastrointestinal surgeries.

SOURCE Cadence Health