San Francisco-based UCSF Health and Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital signed an affiliation agreement March 1 to create an integrated healthcare network.
Here are five things to know about the deal.
1. The Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board gave the final approval for the affiliation during its meeting March 1.
2. Through the deal, UCSF Health and Sonoma Valley Hospital aim to improve healthcare for Sonoma residents by combining their expertise, sharing best practices, coordinating transportation services for out-of-area patients and enhancing patients' access to physicians and administrative services.
3. UCSF Health will also provide the hospital with a new medical director.
4. Both organizations will continue to operate as independent entities, with a joint operations committee overseeing the affiliation.
5. The healthcare organizations have maintained an informal working relationship in obstetrics for several years, according to a statement from UCSF Health.