Bon Secours and Westchester Medical Center considering a partnership
WARWICK — The Bon Secours Charity Health System and Westchester Medical Center have begun exploring the formation of corporate partnership, one in which Westchester would become the majority member of the Bon Secours system.
“A joint venture with Westchester Medical Center represents an unparalleled opportunity to enhance the quality of services for the people in the region,” Mark Nantz, executive vice president of Bon Secours Health System, said in a press release issued Monday. “It would preserve and expand local health care.”
Locally, Bon Secours includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, Good Samaritan in Suffern, Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, along with two nursing homes, an assisted living facility, a certified home health agency and several other medical programs.
The partnership would also include the larger Bon Secours Health System headquartered in Marriottsville, Maryland, a $3.5 billion not-for-profit Catholic health system with hospitals and nursing homes in six states, including New York.
'Bon Secours' strong foundation'
Michael D. Israel, president and CEO of Westchester Medical Center, said a partnership would protect local health-care services for residents of Orange and Rockland counties.
“Westchester Medical Center’s historic mission has been to ensure that all the residents of the Hudson Valley have the finest health care available as close to home as possible,” said Israel. “With our clinical and operational acumen, (we can) further strengthen local programs in the community.”
'Long term investment in community'
Westchester Board Chair Mark Tulis said a potential partnership is part of a long-term, broad plan to invest in the Hudson Valley.
“Our vision is to partner to build on Bon Secours’ strong foundation,” said Tulis.
Dr. Mary Leahy, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, said a partnership with Westchester would not affect Bon Secours’ mission, and it would remain a Catholic health-care ministry.
Israel said a partnership with management from Westchester would improve care for the area’s low-income population and would dramatically improve the care of Medicaid recipients in the Hudson Valley.