Western Connecticut Health Network, Northwell Health establish collaboration agreement to enhance clinical services and operational efficiencies

DANBURY, Conn., Feb. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) and Northwell Health today announced they have signed an agreement to jointly explore developing new clinical programs and services, collaborate in providing population health services, and leverage the expertise of each other's health systems. The collaboration is designed to enable WCHN to increase access to high-quality, affordable care in the communities it serves in western Connecticut and adjacent counties in New York.

WCHN, an integrated patient-centered healthcare organization, operates three hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital and Norwalk Hospital, and employs nearly 6,300 employees, including about 1,900 clinical staff. The network also encompasses 70 Western Connecticut Medical Group medical and sub-specialty practices across 16 communities, Western Connecticut Home Care and a nationally recognized Biomedical Research Institute.

While WHCN and Northwell will share each other's strengths and resources, Northwell will provide WCHN with access to its vast network of shared services, including its purchasing channels, data analytics, supply-chain management expertise and workforce development opportunities available through its corporate university. The relationship is intended to enable WCHN to grow clinical and operational efficiencies, create clinical and professional development opportunities, and further strengthen its ability to deliver high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience.

WCHN also provides significant value to the relationship, including a strong brand reputation and footprint in western Connecticut and New York's Hudson Valley, a distinguished medical staff across the Network and financial stability.

As the transition to value-based care continues, the collaboration reflects efforts by both organizations to expand their clinical capabilities and offer patients greater access to more-coordinated care that puts a greater focus on keeping people healthy and out of the hospital.

"We are proactively managing our transition to value-based care by collaborating with local and regional organizations that share our vision and values. Leveraging their areas of expertise will enable us to sustain excellence and growth as the healthcare industry rapidly evolves. This exciting relationship with Northwell will help us to advance our mission quickly, efficiently, and cost effectively," said John M. Murphy, MD, president and CEO of WCHN.

"Western Connecticut Health Network is a great organization with a long history of delivering extraordinary care to the communities it serves across the region," said Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, which includes 23 hospitals and about 650 outpatient facilities in the New York metropolitan area, including Westchester County. "Working collaboratively, our goal is to help WCHN prosper in this incredibly complex health care environment and improve the health of their communities, which is at the heart of our mission in the New York metropolitan area. This collaboration is beneficial for both organizations, which share many of the same attributes and qualities, including an open and transparent culture, and a focus on physician and employee engagement."

WCHN and Northwell will continue to operate as independent healthcare networks, maintain their respective executive leadership teams and board governance structures, and be responsible for their own operations, assets, liabilities, and finances.

CONTACTS:
Western Connecticut Health Network
Amy Forni                                                                                                   
Manager, PR                                                                        
203-739-7478                                                                                           
[email protected]                                                                    

Andrea Rynn
Director, Public & Gov't Relations
203-739-7919
[email protected]

Northwell Health
Terry Lynam
516-321-6702/516-316-2389
[email protected]

About Western Connecticut Health Network
Western Connecticut Health Network is the region's premier, patient-centered healthcare organization serving residents of western Connecticut and adjacent New York. WCHN is anchored by three nationally recognized hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, and Norwalk Hospital. We have an integrated network of more than 1,300 employed and community physicians and specialists, 70 Western Connecticut Medical Group medical and sub-specialty practices across 16 communities, and Western Connecticut Home Care. Our nationally renowned Biomedical Research Institute is leading innovative research, especially for cancer and Lyme disease. Many of our advancements have been made possible by generous donors from our community and through the Danbury Hospital & New Milford Hospital Foundation and the Norwalk Hospital Foundation. As an academic institution, we are proud to train the future of care through our partnership with the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. WCHN employs nearly 6,300 employees including about 1,900 clinical staff. For more information, visit WCHN.org. Share your comments with us at Facebook.com/DanburyHospital, Facebook.com/NewMilfordHospital, and Facebook.com/NorwalkHospital.

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State's largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, about 650 outpatient facilities and nearly 15,000 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 66,000 employees ? 15,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners ? are working to change health care for the better. We're making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu.

SOURCE Northwell Health