One Heart for Healthcare
During May, which is National Stroke Awareness Month, the hospitals of Capella-Saint Thomas Health Services are working together to provide education and screenings to educate the communities they serve.
Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The longer blood flow is impaired in the brain, the greater the damage. Fast action is essential for life-saving treatment.
To see whether you are at risk of stroke, attend one of our free screenings:
River Park Hospital – Thursday, May 16, from 3-6 p.m.
Highlands Medical Center – Thursday, May 16, from 3-6 p.m. (Hospital Specialty Clinic, MOB 3)
To take our free on-line stroke risk screening and other health assessments, just click on your preferred hospital’s website:
Announcing an exciting new partnership between Saint Thomas Health and Capella Healthcare
As hospitals throughout the country continue on the path of health care reform, many are increasingly considering forming strategic partnerships with like-minded health systems.
This one is a landmark partnership that’s being called a “sign of the times.” This partnership unites Saint Thomas Health, a faith-based not-for-profit health system, and Capella Healthcare, a private for-profit company, in an innovative joint venture that now co-owns four hospitals in Middle Tennessee.
Designed to leverage the unique strengths of these different organizations, the end goal is the same: to better serve their communities and grow market share. Together. It’s about figuring out how to thrive during an era of reform by achieving the highest quality of care and unparalleled constituency satisfaction while continuing to drive down the cost of care. For a small-town community hospital, the challenges can seem insurmountable.
The Partners
Saint Thomas Health’s five hospitals outside of the joint venture with Capella are affiliated with the faith-based Ascension Health, the nation’s largest non-profit health system. The overall market share leader in middle Tennessee with prominent tertiary hospitals in Nashville and surrounding communities, Saint Thomas Health also includes branded health care services covering 100-plus counties in middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Alabama. With an eye to the future, it created Mission Point Health Partners, Middle Tennessee’s first accountable care organization (ACO).
Capella Healthcare operates 14 facilities in six states, including five in Tennessee. With a decentralized management philosophy, Capella’s collaborative approach results in relationships with a variety of partners chosen to best meet the needs of each specific community and hospital. In fact, three of the four hospitals involved in the Saint Thomas joint venture were already jointly owned by Capella and physicians.
Effective May 1, 2012, the new partnership resulted in the joint ownership and operation of Capella’s four Middle Tennessee hospitals: River Park Hospital in McMinnville, DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville, Stones River Hospital in Woodbury, and Highlands Medical Center in Sparta (formerly White County Community Hospital). These hospitals now operate as part of the Saint Thomas Health Network, which holds an equity interest. Capella serves as the managing member and majority partner in the new venture as well as the exclusive development partner for Saint Thomas Health across a 60-county area of middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
“Partnering with Saint Thomas Health, which is nationally recognized for its quality of care and innovative strategy, positions our Middle Tennessee hospitals for greater success as we expand services,” said Capella Healthcare CEO Dan Slipkovich. “This venture also provides a significant opportunity for Capella and Saint Thomas Health to jointly partner with additional hospitals that recognize the value of these kinds of partnerships, especially as accountable care and health reform continue to evolve. Our two organizations share a commitment to providing the highest quality of care for the individuals and communities we serve, and look forward to leveraging our strengths to expand our services.”
Mike Schatzlein, MD, Saint Thomas Health president and chief executive officer, said: “This is a landmark partnership for us and the communities we serve. We appreciate that we have identified a partner in Capella that recognizes the need for some types of change, but shares our commitment to values that are unchanging. Our partnership with Capella Healthcare and their Middle Tennessee hospitals will expand services in the communities we both serve. We look forward to working collaboratively to enhance support for the expansion of cardiac, neurosciences and other specialty services, as well as on strategies for the use of innovative technology and clinical integration.”
THE BENEFITS ARE MANY:
Enhanced Cardiovascular Care: A new investment in expanded cardiac service lines at all four hospitals. While River Park Hospital already has a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, development of similar recognized centers at the other three hospitals is a priority as well as dedicated cardiologist coverage. New: Click here to read more about the newest cardiology offices and expanded outpatient testing at River Park: RPH Expands Services. Additionally, all four hospitals will become part of the Saint Thomas Stroke Network bringing expanded care to their communities.
Exceptional Quality and Service: A new commitment to the best practices, in order to ensure a new standard of healthcare excellence. Helping to lead the way is Bill Thompson, MD, Chief Quality Officer for Saint Thomas Health, who now plays a key role at these hospitals and is on the Board of Trustees. (Saint Thomas Hospital, the flagship hospital of Saint Thomas Health, has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters 11 times.) Additionally, Geoffrey H. Smallwood, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Baptist Hospital, has been appointed Health to the Capella-Upper Cumberland Healthcare Initiatives (UCHI) Board and will play a major role in quality initiatives
The Advantages of Teamwork: A newly coordinated health system that takes full advantage of the many strengths of our new family of hospitals. With the challenges all healthcare providers and communities are facing, working together is how we will continue to improve quality and service while creating greater efficiencies that benefit all those we serve.
A Million Dollar Renovation: Capella Healthcare is investing a million dollars to renovate and expand Highlands Medical Center, formerly White County Community Hospital. The project includes interior and exterior improvements as well as a new entrance. Patient rooms, waiting rooms and registration areas will be completely remodeled, with new furniture, lighting and wall coverings. The renovation project will enable the staff to better serve its growing patient base as well as better reflect the broadening population it is serving and anticipated growth in services. Click here to read more about the expansion and name change at Highlands Medical Center: Hospital Celebrates Partnership.
A New Symbol
We’re proud to announce a new symbol to signify the exciting new partnership between Saint Thomas Health and Capella Healthcare.
Our new logo combines two elements: a cross and a star.
- One symbolizing a ministry and mission to serving all people with spiritually-centered reverent care.
- The other a guidepost, pointing the way to true north and a transformation of care through collaboration.
Together – a symbol of the exciting hope of a bright new day in healthcare. Energized by a heart of compassion – and working together as a family – we’re proud to introduce this new symbol, our promise to be a reliable resource for you in bettering the health of the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve.
It represents the best of both organizations – Saint Thomas Health and Capella Healthcare – as we come together to set a new standard of healthcare excellence in the Upper Cumberland Region.
For more information on this unique partnership, sign up to receive updates on our latest news. Just click one of the hospital websites below.
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