Rome Memorial Hospital Affiliates With St. Joseph’s Health to Expand Access to Care in CNY

March 22, 2016 (Rome, NY) – Rome Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees and St. Joseph’s Health are pleased to announce they are entering into a collaborative relationship in pursuit of mutual goals to expand patient access to needed services and technology in the community, announced RMH Board of Trustees Chairman Chester Patrick, MD, and President/Chief Executive Officer David Lundquist.

"Following a comprehensive evaluation, the board has selected St. Joseph’s Health, a health care system that shares our commitment to providing patients with high-quality, coordinated care that is easily accessible," said Dr. Patrick. "The signing of the Transition Service Agreement (TSA) provides the framework for RMH to become affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health as we work together to deliver the highest level of quality healthcare services to meet the needs of our patients."

Over the next several months, RMH and St. Joseph’s will be working through the details to finalize the affiliation agreement and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.

"St. Joseph’s Health is becoming a regional system of care," said Kathryn Ruscitto, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health. "We are very excited about our relationship with Rome Memorial Hospital because it creates a seamless connection between our healthcare systems, improving patients’ access to the highest level of care."

"Ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for heart surgery, St. Joseph’s is also recognized for its focus on expanding community-based primary care to improve the overall health of the people it serves," Lundquist said. "Working with St. Joseph’s will provide our own physicians and staff with much needed support and resources to ensure that our patients have access to a full continuum of services."

"The collaboration will also enhance the coordination of care for our patients so it is easier for them to navigate the healthcare system. Whether they receive care here close to home or need more specialized care, they will be reassured knowing we have the resources within the collaborative network to provide the care they need," Lundquist said.

"Delivering high quality care in home communities is best for the patient," said Ruscitto. "When open heart surgery or tertiary care is needed and a patient must come to St. Joseph’s, our partners will have a direct

connection to our award-winning services, which will help them provide their patients with the best care possible in their home communities."

RMH will continue to operate as an independent, separately licensed hospital with community representatives providing strong local governance. The hospital’s employees and physicians will continue their tradition of providing exceptional care to their patients.

"Rome and its board have been visionary in planning for the community’s needs and has our praise for planning for the needs of residents," said Ruscitto.

"The hospital’s Board of Trustees and senior leadership team are excited to build a relationship with St. Joseph’s because it shares the values we hold dear, as well as our vision for the future and our commitment to high quality care," Dr. Patrick said.

About Rome Memorial Hospital

Rome Memorial Hospital, Inc., (RMH) is a not-for-profit community hospital with 130 licensed acute care beds, an 80-bed skilled nursing facility, a broad array of outpatient services, and three Article 28 primary care practices in Rome, Boonville and Camden. The hospital also provides essential access to primary care and specialty physician services through its affiliated practices, Rome Medical Group (RMG) and Rome Medical Practice (RMP).

About St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's Health is advancing the health of the communities we serve through an expanding range of healthcare services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, U.S. News "Best Regional Hospital" and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is widely recognized for quality, value and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a part of Trinity Health.