WellSpan Health and Evangelical Community Hospital have entered into a definitive agreement to strengthen community-based care throughout the region. Pending regulatory approval, Evangelical Community Hospital is expected to become WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital on or about July 1, 2024. Ancillary care networks serving the Central Susquehanna Valley will also join WellSpan, expanding the organization's integrated reach across Central Pennsylvania and her 12-county region. Northern Maryland.
A mutual commitment to reimagining health care through exceptional and innovative clinical care and Welspun's successful approach to affordable, convenient value and superior results are the cornerstones of the partnership.
“We recognize that WellSpan has a shared vision for community-based care and are committed to ensuring that patients continue to receive the quality care they expect from Evangelical Community Hospital. We made a deliberate decision to choose a partner who could do this,” Kendra said. said Oker, president and CEO of Evangelical Community Hospital. “While the industry faces strong financial and workforce headwinds, this combination provides the best path forward and allows us to continue serving the health and wellness needs of our community.”
Serving the central Susquehanna Valley, Evangelical Community Hospital is the only Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 5-star rated hospital in the region. With 1,900 employees, the 131-bed, accredited patient care hospital is staffed by more than 170 employed and non-employed physicians. The hospital provides comprehensive services, both inpatient and outpatient, and serves residents of Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.
This partnership adds Evangelical to WelSpan's integrated healthcare delivery system. The system includes more than 21,000 team members, 2,000 employed providers, 220 locations and eight award-winning hospitals, including the region's largest behavioral health network and Level 1 trauma center. WellSpan currently serves residents in Adams, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Franklin, and York counties in Pennsylvania, and Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland.
Together, these organizations will serve more than 1.3 million patients in 12 counties.
“As we embark on our journey to reimagine healthcare at Welspun, we have been committed to innovation while keeping healthcare local. We are excited to further strengthen that work with Evangelical. ” said Roxanna Gapster, Ph.D., RN, President and CEO of WellSpan Health. “As Central Pennsylvania's only municipal health system, our mission is focused on improving the health of our friends and neighbors through innovative care models, strategic partnerships, and a strong sense of purpose. Improving health outcomes is a great combination.”
WellSpan's value-based care approach has been successfully implemented through a dedicated clinical service line and WellSpan Medical Group in partnership with the WellSpan Provider Network. This partnership will support highly specialized medical care, including technology and innovations that will revolutionize treatment. Digital health innovations and the sharing of powerful graduate medical education resources expand access to communities across the region.
“By joining an established and successful health system where quality, safety and innovation are top priorities, we can maintain a vibrant health system close to home,” added Mr. Oker. Ta. “At the end of the day, we work for this community, and our job is to take care of it. This partnership doesn't change that.”
For more than 30 years, WelSpan has strengthened access to excellent care across communities in south central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. York Hospital and Gettysburg Hospital were first combined in 1990 to form WellSpan Health. Since then, six other hospitals have consolidated to create greater value across the region. The partnership between Evangelical Community Hospital and WellSpan will provide a similar path.
Similar to WellSpan's other hospital foundations, a separate philanthropic foundation will be established as a community conduit for hospital support.
“We have great respect for what Evangelical Community Hospital means to the surrounding community, and we know that our mutual values of integrity and respect for all will make us a great fit for this hospital.” ”Gapster added.
