Westchester's Phelps Memorial Hospital Center Takes First Step to Explore Joining North Shore-LIJ Health System

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Phelps Memorial Hospital Center Board of Directors Monday night unanimously approved a letter of intent to explore joining the North Shore-LIJ Health System. The letter of intent allows North Shore-LIJ and Phelps Memorial to begin the due diligence process and enter into exclusive negotiations, with a goal of executing a final agreement by late summer for Phelps to become the health system's first hospital in Westchester County.

Once finalized, the partnership would open a new, exciting chapter in Phelps Memorial's 58-year history, preserving a rich legacy of exceptional care. Annually, the 238-bed community hospital and its more than 1,600 employees care for more than 8,000 inpatients and 325,000 outpatients. For North Shore-LIJ, the addition of Phelps Memorial would expand its coverage area beyond the City of New York and Long Island. With more than 48,000 employees, 17 hospitals and more than 400 outpatient physician practices, North Shore-LIJ is already the largest private employer in New York State and the state's largest integrated healthcare provider.

"The primary objective of the Phelps Board of Directors in seeking partnership with an academic medical center has been to continue to provide the same, if not enhanced, quality services that our community has come to depend upon," says Richard Sinni, Chair of the Phelps Board. "Joining with this world-class health system will enable us to fulfill this objective, while helping to ensure our stability in the changing healthcare environment, including healthcare reform.  It is an honor to be selected as North Shore-LIJ's first hospital partner in Westchester."

North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael J. Dowling said that after an agreement is finalized, Phelps Memorial would continue to operate as a full-service hospital, meeting the needs of communities it serves throughout Westchester, as well as areas of Rockland, Putnam, and Dutchess counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut. "By working in an integrated and collaborative way with clinical and administrative staff at Phelps Memorial, and investing in new initiatives and programs, we look forward to building on the hospital's unique operating niche as a physician- and patient-friendly facility that attracts clinical talent and patients from throughout the area," Mr. Dowling said.

About North Shore-LIJ Health System
One of the nation's largest health systems, North Shore-LIJ delivers world-class clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area, pioneering research at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, a visionary approach to medical education highlighted by the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, and healthcare coverage to individuals, families and businesses through the North Shore-LIJ CareConnect Insurance Co. Inc. North Shore-LIJ cares for people at every stage of life at 17 hospitals and more than 400 outpatient physician practices throughout the region. North Shore-LIJ's owned hospitals and long-term care facilities house more than 6,000 beds, employ more than 10,000 nurses and have affiliations with over 9,400 physicians. With a workforce of about 48,000, North Shore-LIJ is the largest private employer in New York State.  For more information, go to www.northshorelij.com.

About Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center is a 238-bed acute care community hospital in Sleepy Hollow with more than 1,600 employees and 475 medical staff members representing 50 medical specialties. Phelps offers one of the broadest ranges of community hospital services in Westchester. Patients benefit from distinguished physicians, many of whom are pioneers in their field, offering the most advanced procedures using the latest technology.  www.phelpshospital.org

SOURCE North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System