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News
August 27, 2009
Hospital to Pursue
Affiliation Proposal
Athol Memorial Hospital’s Board of
Trustees, at this morning’s meeting,
approved entering into dialogue with
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc. of
Nashville, Tennessee, regarding a
possible affiliation. Major areas of
consideration to be investigated
include: a commitment from Vanguard
Health Systems to fund the proposed
Emergency Services Department
addition and renovations of the
existing hospital building; a
commitment by Vanguard Health
Systems to maintain and grow local
hospital services including
inpatient and outpatient services;
and a commitment by Vanguard Health
Systems to hospital governance by a
Board of Trustees whose membership
will include physicians and local
community representatives.
“The next step is to talk with
Vanguard Health Systems with our
requirements squarely on the table,”
explains Steve Penka, FACHE, Athol
Memorial Hospital’s President and
CEO. “There’s much ground to cover
before we present the Board with a
decision to make. Our ultimate goal
in this process is to secure the
future of this hospital and continue
providing care to our community. We
will keep everyone informed as we
proceed.”
Athol Memorial Hospital issued a
request for proposals in May of this
year. Current events including
internal capital requirements, the
worldwide economic downturn,
impending national and statewide
healthcare reforms, and the need to
implement mandated information and
quality control systems contributed
to the Board’s decision to explore
affiliations with other healthcare
organizations. An affiliation that
would allow Athol Memorial Hospital
to access the necessary resources
for long term success in its mission
to provide healthcare to the
communities of the North Quabbin
Region is and has been part of the
Hospital’s strategic plan.
The request for proposal process
culminated with multiple responses
obtained from Vanguard Health
Systems and other healthcare systems
earlier this month. The AMH Board
also voted to establish a seven
member Special Committee comprised
of Trustees and Corporate Officers,
including the President of the
Medical Staff, to direct and conduct
the discussions and due diligence
proceedings. Based on results of
this process, the committee will
develop a recommendation for the
Board to either decline or enter
into a definitive agreement.
Vanguard Health Systems is a
for-profit, privately held company
and currently owns and operates 15
acute care hospitals that have a
total of 4,181 licensed beds, with
six of the facilities having
teaching programs in four primary
markets in Phoenix, Arizona; San
Antonio, Texas; Chicago, Illinois,
and Central Massachusetts. Locally,
Vanguard Health Systems owns and
operates St. Vincent Hospital in
Worcester and Metro West Medical
Center in Framingham.
Athol Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed
Critical Access Hospital and Primary
Stroke Center, licensed by the
Massachusetts Department of Public
Health and fully accredited by the
Joint Commission.
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