Additional information on the West Penn Hospital revitalization announcement is now available on the WPAHS site:
Also, please remember to refer friends to the next West Penn Job Fair on December 7. Information is available at www.wpahs.org/careers.
Officials from Highmark Inc. and the West Penn Allegheny Health System, Inc. (WPAHS) today announced another important milestone in their plans to build a new integrated health system that will deliver value, choices and high-quality health care services to the Western Pennsylvania community.
The two organizations announced that their boards of directors have approved a definitive agreement, which will now be filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID). In addition to the PID, the transaction must be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Internal Revenue Service.
“This transaction is critical to ensuring the continued vitality of the West Penn Allegheny Health System and maintaining provider choice in our community,” said Kenneth R. Melani, M.D., Highmark’s president and chief executive officer. “In recent weeks, we’ve been working very closely with the staff at West Penn Allegheny to finalize a definitive agreement. We’ve made significant progress to get to this point, but there is much to be done that cannot be accomplished until the affiliation is approved. For the benefit of the community, we hope the review and approval process is thorough and timely.”
“Our anticipated partnership with Highmark has energized our medical staff and employees,” said Jack Isherwood, chairman of the board of WPAHS. “Since the initial announcement on June 28, this transaction has continued to move steadily forward because both organizations share a commitment to making quality health care services available and affordable for the communities that we serve. We believe this partnership will create a highly efficient and lower-cost health care system, expand access to additional clinical services for patients and enhance medical education and training for physicians and other health care professionals.”
As part of today’s announcement, Mr. Isherwood introduced Keith T. Ghezzi, M.D. as the interim chief executive officer of WPAHS. Dr. Ghezzi is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group in Washington, D.C. He specializes in operational and financial turnarounds, performance improvement and interim management. His primary areas of focus include health systems, large hospitals and physician group practices.
”I am proud to be joining the West Penn Allegheny Health System and a team of healthcare professionals that are highly-regarded for their commitment to excellent patient care. Their passion for delivering quality care has been palpable as I have spent time with physicians and staff throughout the system in recent months. I am also enthusiastic about working with our new partners, Highmark, to transform the healthcare delivery system in western Pennsylvania.”
Dr. Ghezzi announced today that one of his first tasks will be to fulfill the commitment of Highmark and WPAHS to reinstate essential services and reopen the emergency department at West Penn Hospital, and to bolster other acute care services, along with making upgrades to other WPAHS hospitals.
As part of the affiliation agreement announced in June, Highmark provided WPAHS with an initial grant of $50 million to sustain and strengthen West Penn and Forbes Regional hospitals. Highmark has made a total financial commitment of up to $475 million — including $75 million to fund scholarships for students attending medical schools affiliated with WPAHS, and to support other health professional education programs.
