June 18, 2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Mount Carmel Health System and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are announcing an affiliation aimed at adding value to the healthcare market place in central Ohio by improving access, lowering costs and increasing the quality and coordination of care.  The two Columbus-based health care organizations announced the agreement today, saying the affiliation will promote collaboration in clinical care, research and medical education.

“This affiliation builds on a long history of cooperation and collaboration between our health systems to address the community’s health care needs,” said Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, Senior Vice President Health Sciences and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.  Some of the more notable examples of current collaborative efforts between the systems include operation of an integrated OB/GYN residency training program, joint investment in Madison County Community Hospital, clinical rotations at Mount Carmel for OSU College of Medicine students,  shared physician coverage for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and various quality improvement initiatives.

Mount Carmel Health System President and CEO Claus von Zychlin noted that the collaborative approach will strengthen the delivery system in central Ohio.

“The affiliation will be guided by the principles of improving access, lowering costs and increasing quality.  We are committed to work together to improve the health of the communities in which we serve” said von Zychlin.

Under the new affiliation agreement, the organizations will explore a variety of opportunities to collaborate including: strengthening the safety net for indigent and underserved populations, improving access to primary care, managing the health of populations, expanding medical education for students and physicians, expanding patient access to clinical trials, implementing information technology solutions to facilitate care delivery and achieving scale and cost efficiencies.  Teams of physicians and health care professionals from both organizations will work together to identify specific opportunities to further develop.

The two organizations will continue to collaborate with other health systems as well.  For example, The Ohio State University’s Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer Office and Cleveland Clinic Innovations have entered into an Alliance to accelerate and commercialize medical innovations.  Mount Carmel and Fairfield Medical Center jointly own Diley Ridge Medical Center.  Mount Carmel provides a variety of support services to Fayette County Memorial Hospital and Mount Carmel’s MediGold Medicare Advantage Plan has a number of partnerships with hospitals in Ohio.

“We look forward to working together to create innovative health care solutions that benefit our patients and the central Ohio community,” said Peter Geier, CEO of OSU Health System and COO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Note: Members of the media are invited to join a media conference call at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013.  Participates will include:

  • Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, Senior Vice President Health Sciences and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Claus von Zychlin, President and CEO of Mount Carmel Health System
  • Peter Geier, CEO of OSU Health System and COO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Dr. Richard Streck, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer of Mount Carmel Health System

Please use the following information to access the media call:
Conference number: 1-866-225-8650
Conference code: 893-305-5682

For more information, please contact:
Jason Koma
Director of External Affairs
Mount Carmel Health System
Phone:  614.546.3410
Email:   jkoma@mchs.com

Bob Mackle
Director, Media Relations
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Phone:  614-293-5646
Email:    Robert.Mackle@osumc.edu

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