PITTSBURGH, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials at West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) announced today their intent to merge the System's Western Pennsylvania Hospital and Forbes Regional Hospital into one organization. Both institutions will continue to provide services in their present locations. The merger is expected to be completed by June 30, 2005.
According to Jerry Fedele, president and CEO of WPAHS, the merger will enhance the two institutions' capabilities in serving patients from the eastern Allegheny and western Westmoreland county regions.
"We are intent on maximizing the capabilities of our system by utilizing the strengths of our respective institutions in a more synergistic fashion. In fact, we have already begun to build programmatic relationships between West Penn and Forbes to better serve our patients," Fedele said. "By merging West Penn and Forbes, we can evolve and enhance the clinical capabilities we present to the eastern region. Residents in that area will be able to access an even broader array of programs and services in a convenient and close to home setting."
"We are enthused over the potential this new relationship brings to our hospitals" said Maureen Bidula, M.D., chair of the Department of Imaging and president of the medical staff at Forbes. "We have enjoyed a number of collaborative efforts with our colleagues at West Penn and feel this is a natural and productive extension of those partnerships."
West Penn and Forbes have several existing clinical relationships, including diabetes care and bariatric surgery as well as a proposed open heart program at Forbes in conjunction with West Penn cardio-thoracic surgeons.
"This will benefit both our respective hospitals and most importantly the patients we serve," said E. Douglas Newton M.D., president of West Penn's medical staff and chief of its Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "By joining together, the sum will truly be greater than the parts."
Fedele stressed that the two facilities will continue their respective community commitments, employee traditions and individual fund-raising initiatives. "This is a move designed to build programs, enhance service and amplify our clinical capabilities," he said. "In doing so we want to be very mindful of those issues important to our employees and those who support us."
Board chairs at both Forbes and West Penn echoed Fedele's sentiments. "My colleagues on the board and I believe there is great potential to this merger," said David Burstin, chairman of the board at West Penn Hospital. "This is an exciting development for our respective hospitals and for the West Penn Allegheny Health System."
Commenting in a similar fashion, Forbes board chairman John Finnegan said, "This initiative will undoubtedly evolve our capabilities and expand the scope of quality health care resources available to patients in the east."
Nomenclature relative to the new relationship has not been determined. "Both the West Penn and Forbes names have significant equity," noted Fedele. "We need to maintain that while also highlighting the new alignment."
Fedele also emphasized that there are numerous details that need to be addressed before the merger can be completed. "The merger will result in one medical staff, one board of trustees, one set of policies, unified governance and an integrated management team. Obviously, we need to approach those areas with great thought and incorporate the input of both institutions in the final outcome."
Commenting further, Fedele noted, "While there are a host of matters that need resolution, there are several key points on which we can speak unequivocally. First, we expect employment to remain stable as a result of the merger. Second, continuity of care will be uninterrupted; patients will have expanded choices for physicians and treatment. And lastly, this alignment is one of planned growth, not consolidation for these two hospitals. This is an initiative born out of the strength of the two hospitals and both will benefit from it."
In summarizing the venture, Fedele stated, "This is another important step for our organization and one indicative of our will and desire to present our capabilities in the most productive manner possible. We could have maintained the status quo quite successfully. If we are truly a health-care system, we need to act like a health-care system. Forbes' capabilities will be enhanced. West Penn's tertiary skills will be better positioned. And patients turning to us for care will reap the benefits of this merger."
West Penn Allegheny Health SystemCONTACT: Tom Chakurda of West Penn Allegheny Health System,+1-412-359-6896