Delnor Health System and Central DuPage Health Announce Intent to Combine

The New Health System Will Enhance Depth, Breadth and Affordability of Region's Healthcare Services

WINFIELD, Ill., and GENEVA, Ill., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Delnor Health System (Delnor) and Central DuPage Health (CDH) today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding expressing their mutual desire to come together and create a single, integrated health system. The goal of the proposed combination is to expand exceptional healthcare to the western suburbs of Chicago by elevating the caliber and breadth of healthcare services available in the region, extending local access to care and creating a level of scale that will deliver even higher quality at a lower cost.

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Over the next several months, Delnor and CDH will complete a due diligence process to further define their vision and agreement which will be subject to governmental review and approval.

The proposed combination will bring together two financially sound organizations, both recognized for their outstanding service to patients. Working in close collaboration with physicians on the respective medical staffs, the two management teams will create new opportunities for continued improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes for all patients, while continuing the healthcare investments in the communities served. Patients will still have the same access to the physicians and hospitals they have come to trust, but will also gain increased access to a broader range of clinical services.

"This relationship holds such great potential for making healthcare even better for our patients, physicians and staff at a time of unprecedented change in the industry," said Thomas L. Wright, president and CEO of Delnor Hospital. "The two hospitals have a deep respect for one another's teams of highly talented professionals, dedication to innovation and track records in providing high quality care. Further collaboration will strengthen our ability to provide exceptional levels of clinical care and become more responsive to the new requirements of healthcare reform, while also delivering an extraordinary patient experience."

"Our mutual goal is to build on the momentum of our respective investments in primary care, specialty care and advancement of the destination service lines at both campuses," said Luke McGuinness, president and CEO of CDH. "Together, Delnor and CDH will build a health system synonymous with efficient, high quality, advanced care in the communities we serve."

Wright and McGuinness will continue to oversee their respective hospitals throughout the due diligence process. The memorandum of understanding provides that the new health system would be governed by a board of directors with equal representation from Delnor's and CDH's current Boards. Furthermore the memorandum of understanding names McGuinness CEO of the new health system. Wright will continue as both President of Delnor and as an executive leader of the new health system.

"Delnor and CDH will be a compelling combination for all involved, reinforcing each hospital's respective commitments to its patients, medical staff, employees and communities," adds McGuinness. "The new entity will continue to respect and celebrate the contributions of individual organizations and their employees as part of this collaborative process."

Delnor and CDH will also carry on their essential roles in serving the healthcare needs of the communities they serve, including their strong commitments to charity care, wellness and prevention programs, and continued collaboration with community organizations and agencies.

About Delnor Health System

Delnor is a 159-bed hospital located in Geneva, Illinois, that has earned national recognition in patient, employee and physician satisfaction. It is designated a Magnet^® hospital, the American Nursing Association's highest honor for nursing excellence, and is also the first hospital in Illinois designated by the Planetree organization for patient-centered care. Delnor is a recipient of the HealthGrades 2010/2011 Outstanding Patient Experience Award and is recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as a mentor hospital for Board leadership in quality.

The Delnor Health System offers a variety of health and medical services for residents of the Central Fox Valley, including a Health and Wellness Center, Delnor Glen Senior Living, the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, Express Care immediate care centers, Home Health Services and Occupational Health Services. For more information or a physician referral, please call the Physician Finder and Information Service at (630) 208-3993 or visit www.delnor.com.

About Central DuPage Health

Central DuPage Health is the parent company of Central DuPage Hospital (CDH). CDH is a nationally recognized 313-bed facility located in Winfield, Ill., a suburb west of Chicago. CDH is a leading center for medical technology, one of the busiest surgical hospitals in Illinois and has achieved Magnet^® recognition for excellence in nursing services.

For the last four consecutive years, Thomson Reuters has listed CDH as a 100 Top Hospital in the U.S. CDH has affiliated with other healthcare leaders, including regionally known Children's Memorial Hospital for pediatric care and, most recently, nationally known Cleveland Clinic for cardiac surgery.

Central DuPage Health is an interdependent network of healthcare organizations and services, including convenient care centers, occupational health services, home health and hospice care. For more information or to find a doctor on the medical staff of CDH, visit www.cdh.org or call 630-933-4234/ TTY 630-933-4833 for the hearing impaired.

SOURCE Central DuPage Hospital