Clearfield Hospital, DuBois Regional Medical Center discuss affiliation
Date: 11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM
Clearfield Hospital
Contact Amy Duke, 768-2827
DuBois Regional Medical Center
Contact John Brennan, 375-3494
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 18, 2009
Clearfield Hospital, DuBois Regional Medical Center
discuss potential affiliation
The leadership of both Clearfield Hospital and DuBois Regional Medical Center are considering a stronger partnership.
The boards of directors of both hospitals approved a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this week. The memorandum, which outlines a potential affiliation, gives the hospitals the opportunity to share detailed information and have formal discussions about partnership opportunities.
“Over the next several months, both boards will investigate ways to share expertise and improve services. The intent of Clearfield Hospital and DuBois Regional Medical Center is to move away from competition and cooperate for the benefit of the communities both hospitals serve,” stated David J. McConnell, president and chief executive officer of Clearfield Hospital.
Potential benefits of an affiliation include the ability of both hospitals to recruit physicians and other clinical professionals to the region, as well as improved access to more specialists for local residents.
“We believe this agreement will provide a way for both hospitals to meet the increasing demands placed upon rural health care organizations. We are both financially strong hospitals with long histories in the community. By teaming up, we can work together to provide quality, specialized medical care to the residents of this region. We can be stronger together than apart,” Raymond A. Graeca, president of DuBois Regional Medical Center, said.
McConnell added, “We want to assure everyone that any decisions made will be in the best interest of patient care. The boards and senior leadership of both hospitals believe that by working together, we can make great things happen for the patients of both hospitals.”
Dennis L. Merrey, chairman of Clearfield Hospital’s board, echoed those sentiments and said, “Three words capture our intent, and those words are secure, enhance and expand. Those words will be used frequently as we move forward with discussions.”
McConnell and Graeca said hospital personnel and the public will be notified about the outcome of the discussions.
This isn’t the first time the two hospitals have worked together. The most recent collaboration is the Nathaniel D. Yingling, M.D., Cancer Center, which has been an important asset to the community since its opening in 2006.
Clearfield Hospital, which has served the community since 1901, is a not-for-profit, acute-care hospital with a host of support services and community programs.
DuBois Regional Medical Center was formed in 1985 when DuBois Hospital and Maple Avenue Hospital joined together. Advanced health programs such as The Heart Center of DRMC and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit allow patients from a large section of west central Pennsylvania to receive specialized care close to home.
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