University Health Systems to Become Vidant Health

GREENVILLE, N.C., Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective January 25, 2012, University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina will become Vidant Health, and Pitt County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) will become Vidant Medical Center.

The name Vidant Health is derived from the Latin root vi- which is universally associated with life, vibrancy and vitality. The name is closely tied to the system's mission "to enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve, touch and support."

The mark, with its stylized letter "V", symbolizes Vidant as an interconnected system of care. It was designed to support the health care system's values and to reflect a confident, strong and caring organization that focuses on the patient at the core of its efforts.

All ten system hospitals are active partners in their communities' well-being, providing access to quality health services for everyone through a complete system of care. Vidant Health highlights the passion for doing good, not just doing business.

"Changing the name of our health system doesn't change who we are as an organization," said Dave McRae, chief executive officer of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. "We are committed to improving access to quality health care services in the region, enhancing the patient's experience and improving health outcomes. By aligning all of our hospitals with the system name, we will be able to tell people who we are and how we are all connected together."

Since 1997, when University Health Systems was created, the system has grown to 10 hospitals, added physician groups and incorporated home health, hospice and wellness services to its offerings.

"Changing our name from University Health Systems to Vidant Health is merely the next logical step in positioning ourselves to compete and perform well in the new era of medicine," said David Womack, chairman of the board of directors.

Also changing will be the names of most of the University Health Systems regional hospitals and physician practices. New names will be:

• Vidant Beaufort Hospital (Washington, N.C.)
• Vidant Bertie Hospital (Windsor, N.C.)
• Vidant Chowan Hospital (Edenton, N.C.)
• Vidant Duplin Hospital (Kenansville, N.C.)
• Vidant Edgecombe Hospital (formerly Heritage Hospital in Tarboro, N.C.)
• Vidant Pungo Hospital (Belhaven, N.C.)
• Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital (Ahoskie, N.C.)

The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head and Albemarle Health in Elizabeth City will continue to operate under their existing names.

"We are continually assessing how we can better serve the people and communities of eastern North Carolina," McRae said. "We want to have a name that is easily identifiable and allows us to create a simple naming structure to communicate directly and plainly who we are, what we offer and the value we bring to the communities we serve."

The legal names of the entities will not change.

University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Inc., a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Beaufort Hospital, Bertie Memorial Hospital, Chowan Hospital, Duplin General Hospital, Heritage Hospital, Outer Banks Hospital, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Pungo Hospital, Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, University Home Health and Hospice; ViQuest and physician practices, and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.uhseast.com.

SOURCE University Health Systems