Summa Health System is looking for another partner in the future after the Hospital's Board voted to pursue a partnership to help the hospital system prepare for the changes coming in health care delivery.

Summa President and CEO Thomas Strauss tells AkronNewsNow "We've been approached by a number of systems across the country who want to partner with us because of our reputation for quality, and our leadership in the community. We've chosen this time to act from a position of strength to evaluate opportunities to partner with organizations for a minority interest in Summa Health System."

Strauss wouldn't name any health systems Summa may talk to, but other sources say the Cleveland Clinic may be one of the interested parties.  

Summa Seeks A Partner by Larry States

 News Release From Summa Health System

AKRON, Ohio, July 18, 2012 – To further strengthen and enhance healthcare services in the greater Akron community, the Summa Health System Board of Directors has voted to explore a possible strategic partnership with a leading and like-minded healthcare organization.

“As a forward-thinking board and leadership team, we routinely evaluate numerous options to improve our organization so that we can preserve local healthcare for the community,” said Norman Wells, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Summa Health System. “Right now, we are considering the establishment of a partnership with another not-for-profit healthcare organization that shares our mission, vision and values.”

Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized a special committee, which includes members of the Board, system leadership and members of the medical staff, to consider partners that would enhance Summa’s strategic objective to:     

• Advance the Clinical Enterprise;

• Achieve Effective Integration;

• Grow the Population Base; and

• Strengthen Summa’s financial position in exchange for a minority interest in Summa Health System.

These exploratory discussions with multiple organizations come at a time of strength for Summa Health System. The health system has been approached by several health systems that want to partner with Summa because of its reputation for quality, its leadership position in the healthcare community and its multiple years of excellent operational and financial results.

“Rather than react to inquiries, we have chosen this time to act and to conduct a strategically sound, thoughtful process in order to better understand what options there may be,” said Wells. “This exploration is an extension of our comprehensive strategic planning process, which has multiple initiatives to prepare our organization for a new era of healthcare.”

Partnerships are increasingly the norm in healthcare. The industry faces an environment where it will be more difficult for independent hospitals and health systems to thrive while going at it alone. Healthcare organizations across the country are exploring and entering into strategic partnerships that are beneficial to their organizations and communities. In 2011, nearly 100 hospitals announced affiliations or strategic alliances with other organizations, with even more anticipated in 2012.

 Summa has a long history of creating innovative partnerships in order to provide the highest quality, compassionate care to its patients and community. The right partner could bring much-needed investment to the hospital and the community, help realize economies of scale in operations and allow Summa to enhance its services, while maintaining local control and autonomy.

“It is our responsibility to the community to proactively explore ways to strengthen the health system’s position even further, enhancing our financial stability and allowing us to continue to offer the highest quality, compassionate healthcare services to the people and communities we serve,” said Summa President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Strauss. “We will only pursue a partner that strengthens our organization at all levels and benefits our patients, members, employees, physicians and our community.”

Strauss added that the health system is still in an early stage of this process. “Nothing is definite at this point and no partner has been selected,” he said. “We will do our best to keep the community informed as we go.”    

This exploration phase is likely to continue throughout the remainder of 2012.

 Summa Health System is fortunate to have a tremendous amount of momentum underway, as demonstrated by the affirmation of its BBB+ bond rating by Fitch Ratings, the opening of a $17 million Emergency Department in Green and its ACO’s selection by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to participate in the Medicare Shared Services Program, one of only a handful of Ohio ACOs chosen.

 “This is another exciting moment of opportunity for Summa Health System as we thoughtfully evaluate partners to help us transform the delivery of healthcare and to preserve and enhance the level of care for which Summa is known,” said Strauss.