McKenzie Health System, based in Sandusky, Mich., and Marlette (Mich.) Regional Hospital have finalized their affiliation, which started loosely in 2010.
The two hospitals, located roughly 18 miles away from each other, announced the more formal joint affiliation agreement last November. Under the agreement, McKenzie and Marlette Regional will each retain their own licenses, names, services, funds and assets, but they will be joined under a new parent organization — United Healthcare Partners. The new company will have equal board representation from both hospitals, and its first board meeting will occur Oct. 14.
Financial details of the affiliation were not disclosed. Key elements of the deal include enhanced patient care, cost-controlling measures and the sharing of equipment and materials.
"As we observed declining populations, decreasing reimbursement to hospitals and increasing requirements associated with healthcare reform, our affiliation made sense because both hospitals were in positions of financial stability and saw an opportunity to turn these challenges into successes by working together," Steve Barnett, CEO of McKenzie, said in a news release.
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