Norton Healthcare, U of L Physicians – Pediatrics and the University of Louisville School of Medicine, all in Louisville, Ky., have signed a definitive agreement for a pediatric affiliation, the entities announced in a joint news release.
The affiliation, which is slated to take effect Feb. 1, is largely designed to improve care access through scheduling enhancements and bringing in more providers for pediatric programs.
Norton Healthcare will also continue to support the university's clinical research and the school of medicine's academic mission.
Additionally, Norton Healthcare, U of L pediatric physicians and the University of Louisville School of Medicine will use one integrated EMR, and more than 20 additional multidisciplinary clinics will be added over the next two years to benefit children with serious and chronic medical conditions. These additional clinics include breathing and digestion conditions, as well as managing consistent health issues of premature babies.
"Norton Healthcare and Norton Children's Hospital have worked closely with the University of Louisville since 1930 as part of our academic affiliation," said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare. "Our long history of collaboration has resulted in expansion of pediatric care and research, especially in the areas of heart, diabetes and cancer care, and the growth of multidisciplinary clinics."
With the affiliation, Norton will take over operations for pediatric and pediatric subspecialist offices currently managed under U of L pediatric physicians, and about 600 employees with 21 practices will transition, said Norton and university representatives. University physicians will remain on the school of medicine faculty and work clinically within a Norton pediatric practice plan.