Two Boston Medical Centers Sign Affiliation Agreement

Signature Healthcare Image via Signature Healthcare Facebook

In order to deliver coordinated patient care in Southeastern Massachusetts, Signature Healthcare Corporation will become the newest addition to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC’s growing list of affiliates.

Both organizations signed an affiliation agreement on Thursday that will give Massachusetts patients access to high-level, convenient care. This will include extended access to BIDMC specialists, and enhanced residency and teaching programs through Signature Healthcare.

According to a report, Kim Hollon, Signature Healthcare’s President and CEO, and Kevin Tabb, MD, BIDMC’s President and CEO, see many benefits of the new affiliation.

“BIDMC’s vision and strategy is a good fit with Signature Healthcare’s mission to deliver exceptional quality, service and compassion to our patients,” said Kim Hollon. “This mutually beneficial affiliation will provide expanded access to specialty care in our community.”

“We are delighted to be affiliating with Signature Healthcare,” added Kevin Tabb, MD. “As we expand our network of hospitals and physicians, our goal is to join with organizations that share our philosophy of providing patients with the right care in the right place at the right time.”

Under the new partnership, which is still under review by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, Signature Healthcare will remain an independent organization with its own community board and own local governance. Rather than merging with BIDMC, Signature Healthcare will join the growing network of BIDMC partnerships and will be co-branded as an affiliate.

Signature Healthcare, a long-term care provider in the Eastern and Southeastern United States, will likely expand their local services because of the affiliation. They will also develop extended clinical programs at their facilities, likely in the areas of orthopedics and oncology. BIDMC, one of the world’s leading hospitals and research facilities, has agreed to explore extended clinical research trial capabilities.

BIMDC has also agreed to sponsor Signature Healthcare’s transitional year medical residency program. In doing so, medical and surgical residents will be provided for Signature Healthcare’s Brockton Hospital effective July 1, 2013.