FORT WORTH, Texas, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JPS Health Network and UNT Health Science Center (UNTHSC) received approval from their respective boards to explore the creation of a unified health care physician practice group that would strengthen the relationship between Tarrant County's largest teaching hospital and the county's only medical school and academic medical center.
The new medical group would bring enhanced levels of efficiency, accountability and value to health care delivery in Tarrant County by combining the complementary strengths of JPS and UNTHSC.
"We believe that the stronger the relationship between these two local organizations, the better overall health care delivery will be in Tarrant County for all patients," said JPS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Earley.
"Tarrant County and area hospitals would benefit from access to a concentration of well-trained health care professionals who can address the current chronic physician shortage," said UNTHSC President Michael R. Williams, DO, MD, MBA.
Working groups representing physicians and staff from both UNT Health and JPS will begin meeting to work out the operational details of the new venture with an eye toward launching it early in 2015. Additional information will be shared as it is available.
The new collaboration between the two community institutions drew praise from area officials, including state Sen. Jane Nelson and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
"JPS Health Network and UNT Health Science Center provide pillars of health care leadership for our community, and I have high hopes for what can be accomplished through this new partnership," Nelson said. "Our community will greatly benefit from this collaboration, which will help address our medical workforce shortages and improve the coordination of patient care."
"Fort Worth is fortunate enough not only to have a thriving medical community – but a community that believes in the power of working together," Price said. "Health care is important to our city, and retaining our medical talent is crucial to building a healthier Fort Worth. This partnership between JPS and UNTHSC will only make our region stronger."
SOURCE UNT Health Science Center
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