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ENSURING A STRONG FUTURE
Officials with Albemarle Health and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (UHS) have come to terms on a management agreement between the two organizations, which would give Albemarle Health access to UHS's technological, financial, legal, and clinical resources.
The two organizations began discussions in July 2008, looking at ways to ensure residents of northeastern North Carolina continue to have access to high quality healthcare close to home. The management agreement begins May 1.
"This management agreement between University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina and Albemarle Health will ensure the residents of our seven-county service area have access to compassionate, high quality healthcare well into the future," said Albemarle Health President and CEO Sharon M. Tanner. "We'll be able to continue to provide our patients with the sophisticated healthcare technology they've come to rely on from Albemarle Health."
More than 75 percent of all hospitals in North Carolina are now part of a larger health system. The ability to fund the financial and human capital necessary to keep up with other healthcare providers in the region requires resources that only a large system, such as UHS, can offer.
Albemarle Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners Chair Sonja Hibbard and UHS CEO Dave McRae signed the five-year agreement February 17, in Elizabeth City. The signing followed a unanimous vote for the agreement by the Albemarle Hospital board; the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners approved the agreement the previous evening.
Under the agreement, UHS will manage the operations of Albemarle Hospital and other Albemarle Health facilities - through existing management and staff. Albemarle Health's CEO and chief financial officer (CFO) will become UHS employees - all other employees will remain employees of Albemarle Health, and no employee of Albemarle Health will lose their job as a result of the agreement.
Although UHS will draft an annual budget and management plan for Albemarle Health, the agreement preserves a high level of local authority. The Albemarle Hospital board will make or approve all decisions regarding the size of the Albemarle Health work force, employee compensation and benefits, and addition or termination of any Albemarle programs or services.
"University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina and Albemarle Health share similar missions and values, which include quality, innovation, compassion, professionalism, teamwork, and integrity," Tanner said. "We look forward to a relationship that benefits our patients, employees, physicians, and communities for years to come."
As always, patients will continue to have a choice when it comes to the care they receive through Albemarle Health. Our physicians and staff will continue to work with, and refer to, other healthcare providers, especially in Hampton Roads, that can help us improve access to needed healthcare services. We remain dedicated to exploring all opportunities that will enable our patients to receive care as close to their homes as possible.
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina officials said the agreement would benefit both organizations.
"We believe this agreement adds value for UHS, Albemarle Health, and the region itself," said UHS CEO Dave McRae. "It reaffirms Albemarle Health's commitment to serving its community and our commitment to making sure eastern North Carolinians can stay close to home and still get high quality healthcare."
About UHS
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina currently has seven hospitals it owns or has a management agreement with. Here's a quick look at UHS:
- Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the flagship hospital in Greenville, has 761 beds and approximately 6,500 employees. It recently opened the East Carolina Heart Institute.
- Bertie Memorial Hospital, in Windsor, has six beds and about 130 employees.
- Chowan Hospital, in Edenton, has 89 beds and nearly 500 employees.
- Duplin General Hospital, in Kenansville, has 101 beds and more than 400 employees. Duplin was the most recent hospital to join UHS as a managed facility.
- Heritage Hospital, in Tarboro, has 117 beds and approximately 500 employees.
- Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, in Ahoskie, has 114 beds and more than 650 employees.
- The Outer Banks Hospital, in Nags Head, has 19 beds and nearly 300 employees; UHS co-owns this hospital with Chesapeake General Hospital.
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