MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baptist Health South Florida, together with Bethesda Health and Bethesda Hospital, signed an affiliation agreement on October 6, 2014 (Affiliation Agreement). The Affiliation Agreement follows a preliminary non-binding letter of intent that Baptist Health and Bethesda Health signed in December 2013.
“We believe that this potential affiliation will leverage our shared vision for improving the health of our respective communities,” said Roger L. Kirk, president and chief executive officer of Bethesda Health. “We are excited about the possibility of a partnership that will enable both of our organizations to increase access to high-quality care and expand healthcare services throughout Palm Beach County.”
“Over the coming months, we will be working collaboratively on a strategic business plan to ensure that our mutual goals for the affiliation are closely aligned,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health South Florida. “Above all, we are committed to making sure we provide exceptional care to patients and families in the communities we serve.”
The “closing” of the affiliation is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2015 and is subject to various contingencies and regulatory approvals.
About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health is listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 consecutive years. It is also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.
About Bethesda Health, Inc.
Bethesda Health is comprised of two not-for-profit hospitals, Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, which are supported by the generosity of philanthropic community members through the Bethesda Hospital Foundation, and various physician clinics and ambulatory care services and facilities in Palm Beach County. Through community support, Bethesda Health has grown to 670 physicians and more than 2,500 employees. Bethesda Health includes Bethesda Health Physician Group, Bethesda Heart Hospital, Bethesda Orthopaedics Institute, Cornell Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, the Center for Women and Children, which includes Level III neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care, the Bethesda College of Health Sciences and accredited centers for Stroke, Chest Pain and Heart Failure. Visit BethesdaWeb.com.
