LaGrangeville, New York and Danbury, Connecticut — March 28, 2018 — Two healthcare systems that serve residents in New York and Connecticut are about to combine to create a new innovative health system.
Health Quest Systems Inc. and Western Connecticut Health Network have entered into an agreement to create a new health system to provide community members across the Hudson Valley of New York and western Connecticut with more convenient, accessible and affordable care.
Health Quest is a four-hospital system based in LaGrangeville, New York. Western Connecticut Health Network is based in Danbury, Connecticut, and includes three hospitals. The combined system will serve 1.5 million residents across the two states and include seven hospitals, in addition to 2,600 aligned physicians and more than 12,000 employees across a full continuum of care. Projected combined revenues of the system are $2.4 billion.
“Sharing similar missions and values, our organizations are uniting to create an expanded, patient-centered health system that accelerates the change from sick-care to wellness” said John Murphy, MD, president and CEO of Western Connecticut Health Network. “We will remain cornerstones in our communities dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care and will have the depth, breadth and talent to advance the health and well-being of those we serve.”
“By joining together, we will expand our reach and enhance our position in today’s consumer-driven environment, helping people optimize their health, prevent disease and manage chronic conditions,” said Robert Friedberg, president and CEO of Health Quest. “The combined health system will help bring new programs and services to our communities.”
As is customary, the combination of the two systems requires approval from multiple governmental entities. After receiving all necessary approvals, the new organization is expected to launch sometime in 2019. Until then, both organizations will continue to operate as independent entities. For now, the systems and hospitals will retain their names and corporate offices will be maintained in Connecticut and New York.
Once approved, Murphy will serve as CEO of the newly combined organization and Friedberg will serve as president. The new system board of directors will have equal representation — eight members from Health Quest’s board and eight members from Western Connecticut Health Network’s board.
The new system will remain a nonprofit and carry forward its commitment to community health and wellness, and most importantly, continue to provide care to anyone who walks through its doors regardless of their ability to pay.
It is further expected that the combined system will be able to enhance quality, population health, accountable care, telehealth, medical education and the use of data analytics to enhance patient outcomes.
“As a nonprofit organization, we will continue to reinvest into our system to fund new clinical programs and services, facilities, advanced technology, new equipment and research — all to benefit our communities,” Friedberg said.
Once combined, the new system will include seven hospitals:
- Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn.
- New Milford Hospital in New Milford, Conn.
- Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY
- Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn.
- Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, NY
- Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn.
- Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY
Other affiliates of each system include:
- Health Quest Medical Practice
- The Thompson House
- Health Quest Urgent Care
- Hudson Valley Cardiovascular Practice, P.C., also known as The Heart Center
- Western Connecticut Medical Group
- Western Connecticut Home Care
Hear more from Dr. Murphy and Robert Friedberg in this short video.
For more information about Health Quest, visit healthquest.org. For more information about Western Connecticut Health Network, visit wchn.org.