Valley Health System and Inova to Form Alliance

Valley Health contacts: Tom Urtz (540 536-5150) or Carol Weare (540 536-5152)
Inova contacts: Tony Raker (703 645-2736) or Susan Miller (703 283-5144)

Strategic partnership to advance care and service access

(July 2, 2013) – Joe Silek, Valley Health System Board of Trustees Chairman, Mark H. Merrill, Valley Health System President and CEO, Knox Singleton, Inova CEO and Mark Stauder, Inova President and COO, announced plans establishing a strategic alliance between Valley Health and Inova intended to enhance the two organizations’ ability to provide improved patient care to Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland residents. Citing both health care providers’ desire to succeed in a dynamic, changing environment the two health systems have identified several areas of strategic collaboration including clinical research, information technology, population health and clinical service delivery.

“In this alliance, we have two strong health systems planning for the future, and collaborating in areas that are important to the future of healthcare,” said Merrill.  “The winds of change are strong, and this alliance allows our two organizations an opportunity to collaborate as we face change.  This innovative alliance will enable both of our organizations to do more, in a shorter period of time, and at less cost, than would have been possible if pursued alone.”

The plan, as approved by the Valley Health Board of Trustees and the Inova Health System Foundation Board, leverages the clinical excellence and innovation of each to improve patient care by implementing electronic medical records software at Valley Health; pursuing clinical integration with respect to cardiovascular services, neurosciences, orthopedics, cancer care, trauma, women’s and infant’s and other services as agreed; and collaborating on research projects and clinical trials.  In addition, by providing mutual access not only to services but physicians and managed care programs, each will be better positioned to succeed in meeting the needs of their respective communities.

“A critical element of the ‘new normal’ in health care is partnership,” observed Mark Stauder.  “Together, Inova and Valley Health System offer creativity, innovation, and experience with a passion to improve the health of the diverse communities we serve now and in the generation to come.”

No Valley Health or Inova jobs are expected to be impacted as a result of the alliance.  Each entity will remain separate and independently governed, supporting their respective local communities as per the mission of Inova and Valley Health System.  Neither entity will have representation on the other system’s board.

“This is a dynamic and challenging time in health care. It is incumbent on Valley Health leadership to pursue innovative ways to enhance our ability to provide exceptional care to our patients,” said Merrill.  “I appreciate the vision and leadership of the VHS Board to respond to the dramatic changes in the healthcare industry, ensuring the continuation of excellent care for residents of the Northern Shenandoah Valley region.

Given not only the strategic nature of the agreement but the positive impact within a tri-state area, the alliance proves a model of cooperative engagement.  “The foresight and mutual assistance of our respective organizations reflects strong and innovative leadership at a critical time in health care,” observed Knox Singleton, CEO of Inova.  “Together we have the knowledge that will achieve better quality, safer care, superior patient experiences and lower costs.”

Valley Health is a six-hospital, not-for-profit health system, with over 5,500 employees, 500 physicians, 594 licensed beds and 166 long term and skilled care beds. Four hospitals, including Winchester Medical Center, Warren Memorial, Page Memorial and Shenandoah Memorial hospitals are in Virginia. Valley Health also operates two hospitals in West Virginia:  Hampshire Memorial and War Memorial. Valley Health’s mission is serving the community by improving health.

The system offers the region a Level 2 Trauma Center at Winchester Medical Center, as well as a Level 3 Newborn Intensive Care Unit, and a full array of cardiac, neurological and orthopedic services.  Other key offerings include Winchester Rehabilitation Center, three Urgent Care Centers, a medical transport division, home care centers, home health services, wellness and fitness centers and more.

Inova is a not-for-profit health care system located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, serving over two million people with over 1,700 licensed beds based in Northern Virginia.  Inova consists of five hospitals including the area’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Inova encompasses many health services including the nationally and internationally recognized Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (IHVI), Inova Translational Medicine Institute (ITMI) on genomics, Inova Neuroscience Institute and Inova Children’s Hospital. Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research.  More information and statistics about Inova is at www.inova.org.

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