Henry Ford, Ascension Michigan to launch combined organization in October
The systems say this will improve outcomes and experience, and place greater emphasis on population health and value-based care.
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Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan today announced plans to close their proposed joint venture on September 30 and launch their newly combined organization on October 1.
The joint venture will bring Ascension's southeast Michigan and Genesys healthcare facilities and assets together with Henry Ford's. The systems said this will improve outcomes, access and experience, and place a greater emphasis on population health and value-based care.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
The combined organization would employ approximately 50,000 team members at more than 550 sites across Michigan. Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, also announced changes to his executive team aligned with the strategic priorities of the expanded organization.
Among the changes, Dr. Adnan Munkarah will serve as president and clinical enterprise and chief physician executive; Denise Brooks-Williams will serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing operations, supply chain, support services and other areas; and Robin Damschroder will serve as president for value-based enterprise and chief financial officer.
Meanwhile, Steven Bender has been appointed executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective October 21. Bender is joining Henry Ford Health from Geisinger Health in Pennsylvania and has more than two decades of experience serving hospitals, integrated delivery systems, and physician networks. Bender also spent more than a decade in Catholic healthcare in Michigan.
The health system also recently announced the appointment of Dennis Butts to executive vice president, chief strategy and network development officer. Butts joined the system last month from strategic consulting firm Guidehouse, where he served as partner and health strategy and innovation leader.
THE LARGER TREND
Henry Ford and Ascension signed an agreement last year to integrate Ascension's southeast Michigan and Genesys healthcare facilities and assets with Henry Ford's.
The expanded organization, to be branded Henry Ford Health, would remain headquartered in Detroit. It would be led by Henry Ford Health president and CEO Bob Riney and governed by a board of directors representative of both organizations.
The combined organization would employ approximately 50,000 staff at more than 550 sites of care across the region.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
