MEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hallmark Health, the parent company of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, today announced that its board of trustees unanimously approved a letter of intent to join Wellforce, the parent company of Tufts Medical Center and Circle Health (including Lowell General Hospital).
The vote comes after an extensive review process that considered numerous proposals from both local and national providers.
“Hallmark Health has a great future in partnering with an organization that shares our vision of providing unparalleled access to high quality, comprehensive, low-cost care, here in our communities. In Wellforce, we see that future. We are excited to enter into this exclusive agreement,” said Alan Macdonald, president and chief executive officer, Hallmark Health.
“We are fortunate to have had a great number of thoughtful proposals to consider,” adds Macdonald, “but Wellforce clearly stood out as an organization that we can see ourselves aligning with and positioning us for future growth. They bring together thriving community hospitals, a renowned academic medical center and strong physician networks that are leaders in population health management. ”
“Wellforce and its hospitals and physicians have an exceptional clinical reputation and we are excited to work together for the health of our patients and our communities,” said Laurence Conway, MD, president of the Hallmark Health medical staff and member of the Board’s affiliation work group.
Hallmark Health and Wellforce will now enter into an exclusive due diligence process. Over the next few months, the groups will finalize the terms under which Hallmark Health will join the Wellforce system and work with the appropriate regulatory agencies to secure the necessary approvals.
“We are extremely pleased to be selected by Hallmark Health,” said Norm Deschene, CEO of Wellforce. “Hallmark Health and Wellforce share a commitment to first and foremost doing what is right for our local communities, patients and physicians. We look forward to forging a partnership that benefits the Hallmark Health communities for decades to come.”
“Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University have a special affinity for the communities surrounding Hallmark Health. Our partnership with Lowell General through Wellforce has proven that academic medicine doesn’t have to stay sheltered in Boston but can and should come out to the community,” said Michael Wagner, MD, president and CEO of Tufts Medical Center.
About Hallmark Health
Hallmark Health is a coordinated system of hospitals, physician practices and community-based services providing care for communities throughout north suburban Boston. Since its inception in 1997, Hallmark Health has been committed to its mission of providing quality care for its communities and achieving clinical excellence for the patients it serves. The system includes Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford; Hallmark Health Medical Center, Reading; Hallmark Health Medical Associates; Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice; and Lawrence Memorial/Regis College School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.hallmarkhealth.org.
About Wellforce
Wellforce is the health system formed by Tufts Medical Center and Circle Health in 2014. Wellforce was created to provide Massachusetts hospitals and physicians with a new option for collaboration. Wellforce brings together the strengths of academic medicine and community care in a model that respects both equally. Wellforce is the market’s high quality, lower cost system. Wellforce focuses on care integration, population health management, patient access and operational performance so that our members can do what they do best – care for patients. Wellforce includes 2,500 physicians, 2 community hospital campuses, an academic medical center and a children’s hospital. Wellforce represents $1.36 billion in revenue and 9,000 employees.
