Boston-based Partners HealthCare, Care New England and Brown University, both in Providence, R.I., signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize their commitment to improving care and bringing biomedical innovation to Rhode Island, the organizations announced Aug. 7.
Brown University officials previously voiced their concern over Partners' proposed acquisition of Care New England. After the organizations announced the deal in January, the university reportedly approached Providence-based Lifespan to form a competing bid. However, Lifespan rejected the deal.
Partners and Care New England formalized their acquisition agreement in May.
Under the memorandum, the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University will serve as the primary academic research and teaching institution for the combined organization. The partnership will also aim to enhance the quality of medical education for students and explore the potential creation of a new medical research institute in Providence.
Brown University President Christina Paxson, PhD, will be added to Care New England's board of directors, while Jack A. Elias, MD, senior vice president for health affairs and dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown's medical school, will serve on any academic or research subcommittee of the board.
Along with their partnership with Brown, Partners and Care New England will continue negotiations with Lifespan. The organizations approached Lifespan about a potential affiliation in February.
The memorandum details the terms for negotiating a formal agreement between the three organizations within the coming weeks.
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