Gaithersburg, Md.-based Adventist HealthCare and Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., have signed a letter of intent to explore a partnership agreement.
The organizations have agreed to enter into exclusive talks about Adventist operating Howard University Hospital beginning next year.
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said partnering with Adventist could help Howard University Hospital overcome the challenges facing standalone teaching hospitals.
"The opportunity to partner with Adventist HealthCare demonstrates our shared commitment to find solutions that serve the healthcare needs of this community and also forwards Howard's 150-year mission of training diverse healthcare providers that share the common goal of servicing underserved populations," he said in a press release.
The Adventist system includes two acute care hospitals and will likely include a third hospital later this year. Adventist announced July 24 that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fort Washington (Md.) Medical Center, a 37-bed hospital. The transaction is expected to close this fall.
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