Methodist Healthcare, Mayo Clinic collaborate to better serve patients and their families

Methodist Healthcare and Mayo Clinic announced today that Methodist has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a national network of health care providers committed to better serving patients and their families through collaboration.

Methodist Healthcare is the first health care organization in Tennessee and the mid-South to join the network. The formal agreement gives Methodist Healthcare access to the latest Mayo Clinic knowledge and promotes physician collaboration that complements local expertise. Through shared resources, more patients can get answers to complex medical questions while staying close to home.

"The relationship with Mayo Clinic places physician-to-physician collaboration at the pinnacle of providing high-quality, patient- and family-centered care for all of Methodist's patients," says Michael Ugwueke, president and chief operating officer, Methodist Healthcare. "More than a relationship between two well-known organizations, this is truly collaboration for sharing medical knowledge and Mayo Clinic expertise, while providing tools and resources for our physicians to further enhance patient care."

As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Methodist Healthcare will work with Mayo to share medical knowledge and collaborate in ways that will benefit patients and their communities. Network tools and services include:

eConsults that allow Methodist Healthcare physicians to connect electronically with Mayo specialists and subspecialists when they want additional input on a patient's care.

AskMayoExpert that provides Methodist Healthcare with point-of-care, Mayo-vetted information on disease management, care guidelines, treatment recommendations and reference materials for a variety of medical conditions.

eTumor Board Conferences that allow Methodist Healthcare physicians to present and discuss management of complex cancer cases with a multidisciplinary panel of Mayo Clinic specialists and other network members.

Methodist Healthcare providers also will be able to consult with Mayo Clinic on operational and business processes, access Mayo's extensive library of patient education materials, and view archived grand rounds presentations that feature presentations by Mayo physicians and scientists.

"Mayo Clinic and Methodist Healthcare have long been committed to offering patient-centered care," says David Hayes, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Care Network. "We are very pleased to build on that shared value and formalize our relationship. We look forward to helping patients get the right care when and where they need it."

Adds Ugwueke, "Being a part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network is all about advancing medicine and keeping patients - and care - close to home."