David Blom, CEO of OhioHealth in Columbus, said health systems' practice of "physician poaching" — especially for cardiologists — is not in the best interest of the community and only raises prices for patients, according to a Columbus Dispatch report.
Mr. Blom's comments followed a settlement last week, in which seven cardiologists were banned from practicing near their former place of work — an OhioHealth practice in Springfield — after joining OhioHealth competitor Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. OhioHealth sued the cardiologists for violating non-compete clauses in their contracts.
OhioHealth has lost 21 cardiologists in the past six years, according to the report. Although Mr. Blom defends physicians' natural migration between health systems, he doesn't agree with hospitals' aggressive acquisitions of certain specialists.
"Yes, over the past five to seven years, a number of cardiologists left our organization," Mr. Blom said in the report. "At the time, we had more than anyone else in town, and others needed to fill their beds, so they came after our physicians."
The dean of OSU's College of Medicine, Charles Lockwood, MD, denied any idea of "physician poaching," saying, "taking from local hospitals certainly is not our strategy," according to the report. Dr. Lockwood said OSU is more likely to seek talent at other academic research institutions around the nation.
Ohio Hospitals Rack Up Roughly $3B in Cash Reserves
OhioHealth Expands Partnership With Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mr. Blom's comments followed a settlement last week, in which seven cardiologists were banned from practicing near their former place of work — an OhioHealth practice in Springfield — after joining OhioHealth competitor Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. OhioHealth sued the cardiologists for violating non-compete clauses in their contracts.
OhioHealth has lost 21 cardiologists in the past six years, according to the report. Although Mr. Blom defends physicians' natural migration between health systems, he doesn't agree with hospitals' aggressive acquisitions of certain specialists.
"Yes, over the past five to seven years, a number of cardiologists left our organization," Mr. Blom said in the report. "At the time, we had more than anyone else in town, and others needed to fill their beds, so they came after our physicians."
The dean of OSU's College of Medicine, Charles Lockwood, MD, denied any idea of "physician poaching," saying, "taking from local hospitals certainly is not our strategy," according to the report. Dr. Lockwood said OSU is more likely to seek talent at other academic research institutions around the nation.
More Articles on OhioHealth and Ohio State University:
7 Cardiologists Banned From Practicing Near OhioHealth PracticeOhio Hospitals Rack Up Roughly $3B in Cash Reserves
OhioHealth Expands Partnership With Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine