US-based health systems BayCare and Northwestern Medicine have partnered to broaden access to medical treatment and improve clinical research, training and education for physicians in West Central Florida.
The initiative is expected to increase BayCare's capacity to attract, retain and train healthcare professionals to meet increasing patient demands in the region.
It is part of BayCare's growth strategy for the Florida region, particularly the Tampa Bay area.
BayCare president and CEO Stephanie Conners said: “This isn’t the beginning, it’s the next step in a journey we’ve been focused on for years.
“West Central Florida deserves more access to academic medicine and by entering into a strategic collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, we will accelerate our trajectory as an academic health system.”
Both organisations have signed a definitive agreement and have begun the first phase of the partnership, focusing on educational and professional development for clinicians and clinical research advancement.
The partnership was announced on 5 June at Tampa Bay Park, where BayCare recently acquired three office buildings.
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare president and CEO Howard Chrisman said: “We are focused on collaborating with like-minded organisations that are driven by providing patients with greater access to world-class compassionate care, closer to where they live and work.
“By collaborating with BayCare, we have the opportunity to train and educate the next generation of medical professionals and transform the clinical offerings to patients in West Central Florida.”
Northwestern Medicine provides care across 11 hospitals and more than 200 ambulatory and diagnostic sites in Chicago, Illinois, with Northwestern Memorial Hospital as its primary facility.
BayCare operates 16 hospitals and numerous other facilities. The partnership with Northwestern Medicine will not affect its ownership, leadership or board composition.
Last year, BayCare partnered with Cadence to launch a remote patient monitoring and responsive virtual care programme.
