Hackensack University Medical Center announces joint venture with community physicians and USPI

Hackensack University Medical Center has announced a joint venture partnership with community physicians and United Surgical Partners International (USPI) in the acquisition and operation of two ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in Bergen County: Hackensack Endoscopy Center (HEC) and Endoscopy Center of Bergen County (ECBC).

"In order to remain competitive in this healthcare market, we have chosen to partner with both USPI, a leader in the ambulatory surgery industry, as well as leading regional physicians, to own and operate outpatient surgery centers," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network. "This partnership is another example of how Hackensack University Health Network is successfully aligning with physicians to position itself for growth and future success under healthcare reform. We believe this partnership will serve the needs of our patients across the full spectrum of healthcare services."

"This venture represents an innovative partnership between some of the region's leading physicians and the nationally-renowned HackensackUMC to provide outpatient care at two of the state's highest-quality ASCs.  Our hope is to facilitate the integration of inpatient and outpatient care into a continuum to ensure the highest standards of both for our patients," said Steven R. Leibowitz, M.D., a regional physician leader in gastroenterology and physician owner.

Eric Avezzano, M.D., one of the physician owners and medical director of Endoscopy Center of Bergen County (ECBC), said, "This partnership brings the ideal combination of physicians, hospital and ambulatory industry experts together to ensure high-quality, affordable care for our patients and a business arrangement that will yield success under healthcare reform."

"We are excited to partner with these high-quality physicians to continue to offer world-class outpatient ambulatory care at Hackensack Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Center of Bergen County," said Michael Stroup, USPI's vice president of Development. "USPI is a recognized leader in owning and operating short-stay facilities and partnering with not-for-profit health systems to provide quality ambulatory care.  We are proud to add a world-class organization like HackensackUMC to our list of hospital partners."

Under the partnership, HackensackUMC and USPI will own a joint venture company that will, in turn, partner with physicians to own and operate a network of outpatient ASCs in the region. Two centers have already been acquired through the joint venture, and numerous other potential ASC opportunities have been identified throughout the northern New Jersey region. Each center will provide healthcare services in a manner that advances HackensackUMC's charitable purpose by promoting health and providing services to individuals, regardless of their background.  The ASCs will be governed by a Board of Managers, consisting of representatives from HackensackUMC and USPI, as well as local physician owners, which will make all decisions related to the governance of each joint partnership.

HackensackUMC and USPI will work to form strategic relationships with physicians in order to better access and serve the community. This type of joint partnership will enhance positive physician-hospital relationships and increase the sharing of resources between the two groups.