Integration Update
Frankford Hospital to Partner With
Jefferson Health System
Hal Augustine Appointed Chief Information Officer
for Jefferson Health System
Jefferson Health System Signs Agreement with
Independence Blue Cross
Frankford Hospital to Partner With Jefferson Health System
The Board of Directors of Frankford Hospital announced plans to strengthen its strategic position and safeguard its ability to serve the healthcare needs of area residents by partnering with Jefferson Health System.
"By becoming a vital component of a larger health network, Frankford Hospital assures its continued success in Philadelphia's rapidly expanding managed care market," says Philip Schieber, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "This partnership will extend our geographic reach, improve our ability to secure managed care contracts and enhance our quality of care."
"Jefferson's academic excellence and standing as one of the region's leading health systems will complement Frankford's solid clinical expertise," says Gary Aaronson, DO, FCCP, President of Frankford's Medical Staff. "In addition, affiliating with Jefferson's prestigious medical staff and tertiary-level services will enable our 399-bed community hospital to provide convenient, local access to the full continuum of health and wellness services."
In sharp contrast with many of the other hospitals in the Philadelphia area, Frankford Hospital has thrived in recent years. "This financial strength has enabled us to thoroughly research our alternatives," explains Roy Powell, President of Frankford Hospital.
"Throughout the past several months, representatives of the Hospital's board, medical staff and management team have participated in discussions with the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Temple Health System, as well as with Jefferson. Selecting a partner was challenging because we found each of the three health care systems had a great deal to offer," he says. "A collaboration with any of the three would be mutually beneficial."
"Last October, I made a guarantee to Frankford Hospital's employees that there would be no staff layoffs for two years," says Mr. Powell. "The affiliation will not affect my commitment."
According to Douglas S. Peters, President and CEO of Jefferson Health System, "By partnering with Frankford Hospital, Jefferson strengthens its presence in the Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks County and eastern Montgomery County area, where Frankford is the premier community hospital. Both our organizations were founded on strong community missions, and both share the same vision to measurably improve the health status of the residents we serve."
Jefferson Health System with revenues exceeding one billion dollarsis composed of five acute-care hospitals: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, Methodist Hospital Division of TJUH, and Paoli Memorial Hospital. The System also includes Bryn Mawr Rehab, which provides physical medicine and rehabilitation; Jefferson HealthCARE Physicians, which includes the primary care network Great Valley Health Physicians; Jefferson Health Network, a managed care contracting organization; and Jefferson Home Health. Jefferson Health System has also formed relationships with Mercy Health System and Riddle Memorial Hospital. Magee Rehabilitation Hospital will also join Jefferson Health System pending regulatory approval. Jefferson Health System is currently finalizing its agreement with Albert Einstein Healthcare Network to become a founding member of the system.
Hal Augustine Appointed Chief Information Officer for Jefferson Health System
Hal Augustine has been appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Jefferson Health System (JHS), David C. Carney, Executive Vice President, JHS, has announced. Mr. Augustine previously served in the same capacity for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.
Mr. Augustine, who has 27 years experience in healthcare information systems, will be responsible for all JHS Information Systems activities. In this capacity he will serve as Chairman of the JHS Information Systems Operating Committee (ISOC).
Reporting directly to Mr. Augustine are the current JHS IS leadership of Al Giacomucci, Thomas Jefferson University, Stephen Tranquillo, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Deborah L. Krau, Main Line Health.
In making the announcement, Mr. Carney said, "Serving as Vice President and CIO at Einstein for the past nine years, Hal Augustine has led the deployment of information technology that has supported corporate strategies in providing efficient, high-quality patient care. He is experienced in enterprisewide strategic planning for information systems and completed such a plan for Einstein last year.
"Einstein has implemented many innovative information systems and has received national recognition for implementation of their document imaging system, providing access to the patient medical record."
Walt Zerrenner will continue to serve JHS in an advisory capacity and assist Mr. Augustine in the transition to his new responsibilities.
Jefferson Health System Signs Agreement with Independence Blue Cross
On Friday August 15, 1997, JHS signed a Letter of Intent with Independence Blue Cross (IBC) on behalf of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Methodist Hospital, and Main Line Health System (Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, Paoli Memorial Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital). Also included within the JHS negotiations were Great Valley Health and the JeffCARE Faculty Foundation physicians.
Effective June 1, 1997, this three-year agreement covers IBC members participating in Blue Cross Indemnity, Keystone HMO, and the Personal Choice product lines.
Those departments specifically affected by this agreement will be receiving additional information soon.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the IBC agreement, please call Debra Starke, Associate Vice President for Managed Care Contracting, JHS, at 610-225-6271.