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Lakeland News
| Lakeland and Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. Integrate |
| (ST. JOSEPH) – The Boards of Directors of Lakeland HealthCare, and Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C., announced today that they have approved integration of the two organizations. Over the past 18 months, Lakeland HealthCare and Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C., have explored the options for hospital-physician alignment. For healthcare organizations nationwide, hospital-physician alignment has helped to enhance quality and lower costs. “Across the nation, our industry faces increasing costs, decreasing reimbursements, and increasing numbers of uninsured patients,” said Dan Hopp, Chairman of the Lakeland HealthCare Board of Directors. “In this changing healthcare environment, it is vital that Lakeland HealthCare and its medical staff examine ways to align their directions, goals, processes, and procedures.” Lakeland HealthCare is a non-profit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, rehabilitation, long-term care, hospice, and home care services. Lakeland has more than 3,300 employees who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout southwest Michigan, and partners with over 300 primary and specialty care physicians. Located in offices throughout Berrien County, Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C., is a multispecialty medical practice with more than 70 physicians and 25 other providers in specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, general surgery, infectious disease, critical care/pulmonary, hospitalist, public health and physical therapy. In addition to their work in Michigan, Southwestern Medical Clinic’s physicians frequently care for patients around the world through overseas missions. “We are excited about the opportunity to join together with an outstanding health system,” said Warren C. White, Jr., Administrator, Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. “The integration will be a natural extension of the strong relationship Southwestern Medical Clinic and Lakeland HealthCare have had for the past 40 years.” Both organizations are optimistic about how integration will affect their patients in southwest Michigan. By working together, rather than as separate business structures, Lakeland HealthCare and Southwestern Medical Clinic will streamline the healthcare delivery system to provide more efficient care at optimal value. For instance, the organizations are already collaborating on using electronic medical records that make it possible for Lakeland hospitals and Southwestern Medical Clinic offices to share patient information. “Joining with Southwestern Medical Clinic aligns our efforts and resources to what matters most, and that is providing high-quality care to our patients, now and in the future,” said Loren Hamel, MD, President and CEO, Lakeland HealthCare. “This new partnership will allow both Lakeland and Southwestern Medical Clinic to continue to fulfill their missions to provide our community with high-quality care at a great value.” “Lakeland and Southwestern Medical Clinic each have a long tradition of putting patients, and the community, first,” said John Froggatt, III, MD, President, Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. “Southwest Michigan families can be confident that they will continue to have access to the best possible health services, close to home.” Further details about the integration plan will be released in the coming weeks. For more information about Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C., www.swmc.org. |
