Highmark and Allegheny Health Network announce completion of affiliation with Saint Vincent Health System
Affiliation focuses on preserving health care choice and providing affordable, high-quality care to northwestern Pennsylvania
ERIE, Pa., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark and Allegheny Health Network today announced the completion of their affiliation with Saint Vincent Health System, having secured all legal and regulatory approvals. Saint Vincent is now officially a part of Allegheny Health Network, the region's newest integrated delivery care network focused on preserving health care choice and providing affordable, high-quality care.
"Saint Vincent is an outstanding provider of high-quality care," said William Winkenwerder, Jr. M.D., Highmark president and chief executive officer. "That's what makes it such a great fit with Allegheny Health Network. Saint Vincent shares Allegheny Health Network's focus on preserving health care choice for all consumers and patients. We thank the entire community, business leaders and elected officials for their support throughout the affiliation process."
Allegheny Health Network is comprised of more than 2,100 physicians on its medical staff with a geographical footprint that touches virtually every community in Western Pennsylvania. The network also includes seven hospitals in Pennsylvania with nearly 2,400 licensed beds.
Today, Saint Vincent joins with the following hospitals in the network:
- Allegheny General Hospital
- Allegheny Valley Hospital
- Canonsburg Hospital
- Forbes Hospital
- Jefferson Hospital
- West Penn Hospital
"Our affiliation with Highmark will enable us to continue to fulfill our mission and focus on the health care needs of residents of the Erie region," said Scott Whalen, Ph.D., FACHE, Saint Vincent's president and chief executive officer. "We're committed to working collaboratively with Highmark and Allegheny Health Network to make care more affordable, while at the same time addressing a shortage of primary care physicians in the region by investing in training and education."
The Erie County Orphan's Court approved the Saint Vincent affiliation on May 31.
"Saint Vincent will play an important role in Allegheny Health Network's transformation and improvement of health care for patients," said John Paul, Allegheny Health Network president and chief executive officer. "Allegheny Health will create more health care choice and a greater focus on individual wellness and disease prevention – all of which will provide immediate and longer-term benefits to our patients and customers."
Highmark Health Services' support to Saint Vincent includes a $20 million cash investment to help Saint Vincent maintain financial soundness and $5 million for capital projects at Saint Vincent to support the health care mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In addition, Highmark and Allegheny Health Network will support Saint Vincent in its investment of more than $40 million during the next three years to improve the existing facilities of Saint Vincent and invest in new assets for the Erie region and northwest Pennsylvania. The Sisters of St. Joseph will receive a one-time payment of $10 million.
This affiliation will enable Saint Vincent to strengthen its position in providing a strong choice for health care in the Erie region and to accelerate its growth strategy in the northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York areas.
SOURCE Highmark
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