Mercy explores possible affiliation with Essentia Health
Leaders at Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake are exploring the possibility of starting a new relationship with Essentia Health, based in Duluth. The two organizations have recently signed a memorandum of understanding, formally kicking off a process to determine whether they will enter into an official affiliation agreement.
"Examining this option with Essentia Health allows us to consider new ways of meeting the challenges that healthcare reform will bring to smaller hospitals," says Ken Dahlberg, Chairman of the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors. "This would allow us to continue our commitment to the community, while discovering new and more cost effective opportunities to offer more coordinated care."
The memo of understanding does not signify that an agreement has been reached. Rather, both parties are formally agreeing to further explore integration. The discussions are expected to take several months.
In the scenario currently under discussion, the local hospital district would continue to own the assets of the hospital. Essentia Health would then lease the assets and operate the facility. This is the same structure currently in place at Essentia Health-Sandstone (formerly Pine Medical Center.) A new integrated organization would be formed with local representation to operate the hospital.
Leaders at Mercy Hospital and Essentia Health say an affiliation would allow for an enhancement in services, including more specialized care coming to the community. The hospital would continue to maintain its open medical staff for physicians, while welcoming the chance for additional support from Essentia Health specialists.
"The proposed integration is an opportunity to bring both stability and growth to the healthcare community in the Moose Lake area," says Rocklon Chapin, Executive Vice President of Essentia Health’s East Region Hospital Division. "We share a similar mission and values, especially when it comes to providing quality care, close to home."
Mercy Hospital leaders are committed to keeping their employees and the community informed as the integration talks continue.
About Essentia Health: Essentia Health, headquartered in Duluth, Minn., is an integrated health system serving patients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Idaho. Essentia began fully integrating operations in the summer of 2010, bringing together the resources of its member organizations – SMDC Health System, Innovis Health, Brainerd Lakes Health and the Essentia Institute of Rural Health.
Essentia Health combines the strengths and talents of 11,500 employees, including 1,500 physicians and credentialed practitioners, whose mission is to provide high quality care while making patients feel known and understood. The organization is guided by the values of quality, hospitality, respect, justice, stewardship and teamwork, and delivers on its promise to be "Here With You" in 17 hospitals, 62 clinics and five long-term care facilities.
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