The GW Medical Faculty Associates and Adventist Medical Group Launch Joint Venture

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Adventist HealthCare, Montgomery County's first and largest health system, and The GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), the largest independent physician group in metropolitan Washington, announced a joint venture today that will further their missions of improving the health of the communities they serve.

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The new venture, which combines the strengths of The MFA and Adventist Medical Group, enables the organizations to more effectively and efficiently grow the number of Adventist's employed physicians.

"Adventist HealthCare's five-year strategic plan focuses on physician integration and population-based health care," said Gaurov Dayal, M.D. senior vice president & chief medical officer. "This collaboration with an experienced organization like MFA accelerates our ability to fulfill this plan."

"Federal mandates for implementation of electronic patient health records, along with healthcare reform, are prompting consolidation in the health industry," said MFA CEO Stephen L. Badger. "This joint venture strengthens both organizations financially and geographically and prepares us to deliver better quality healthcare to the rapidly growing population around the D.C. area."

The MFA will be primarily responsible for the business functions and contracting with physicians for the joint venture. Under this agreement, all current and future Adventist Medical Group physicians and their staff will be employees of the new venture.

Adventist HealthCare, an integrated healthcare delivery organization based in Rockville, Maryland, cares for close to 450,000 patients annually. The mission of Adventist HealthCare is to demonstrate God's care by improving the health of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. Adventist HealthCare includes Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Washington Adventist Hospital, Adventist Behavioral Health, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center in New Jersey, Adventist Home Care Services, Adventist Medical Group and the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children.

The GW Medical Faculty Associates is largest, independent physician group in metropolitan Washington. It is comprised of 700 physicians who deliver care through 48 medical and surgical specialties, which are supported by academic medicine and clinical research. The MFA maintains offices in Annapolis, Bethesda, Rockville, Downtown DC, the West End, Upper Northwest Washington, Reston and Mount Vernon. MFA doctors maintain privileges at GW, Howard, Mount Vernon, Reston, Shady Grove, Sibley, Suburban and Washington Adventist Hospitals. The MFA is national leader in implementation of the Electronic Medical Record and manages more than one million patient visits each year. The GW Medical Faculty Associates is a 501 (c) 3 with a mission of patient care, clinical research and education.

SOURCE GW Medical Faculty Associates