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When
we first announced the potential affiliation with Madrona Medical Group, we
committed to provide you with updates along the way. I’m delighted to share
with you that yesterday a tentative purchase agreement was reached by the
leadership teams who were delegated authority to negotiate on behalf of the
two organizations.
This
is a significant step toward our Vision 2012 strategy of clinician
partnership and planned care. With an integrated, larger medical group, we
would have the opportunity to expand on PeaceHealth’s mission, vision and
values. Both medical groups already are high performing, and the best
practices of both can be incorporated into a unified medical group. We would
be able to improve the patient experience through seamless care for
outpatient as well as inpatient services.
A
number of steps remain before the purchase can be finalized. The tentative
agreement will need to be approved by the PeaceHealth regional and system
boards, and by the Madrona Medical Group board and shareholders. If all
parties approve, the purchase could take effect some time between March 15,
2008 and July 1, 2008.
If
the purchase should go through, the current St. Joseph Medical Group and
Madrona Medical Group would work together to create a larger clinic
organization that would incorporate and build upon the strengths of both
existing groups.
I
continue to be very excited about this potential integration of the two
medical groups, which would help PeaceHealth Whatcom Region provide safe,
evidence-based, compassionate care through more providers working more
closely to achieve that vision. |