San Diego-based Scripps Health has entered into an affiliation agreement with Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District in Brawley, Calif. The two-year agreement marks Scripps' first hospital affiliation outside San Diego County.
Pioneers Memorial Hospital is a 107-bed acute care facility that serves communities in the Imperial Valley, which contains Brawley. The hospital explored affiliations with a number of healthcare providers before deciding to affiliate with Scripps.
Under the agreement, Pioneers will continue to run as an independent hospital and its name and governance structure will not change. However, Scripps will provide Pioneers with leadership training and development, assistance with process improvements and other related services. A steering committee representing administration and physicians, comprised of three members from each organization, will manage the affiliation.