ProMedica and Harbor team up to address growing community need for mental health services

Today ProMedica and Harbor announced plans to form a joint operating company (JOC) to address a growing community need for mental health services in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The JOC will help increase access to much needed behavioral health services and enhance care through a more integrated, coordinated model.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental illness is a "serious and growing problem" that affects about a quarter of American adults. In Lucas County, nearly 30 percent of adults have a mental health disorder. More than 35 percent of adults in Ohio report their mental health status as poor.

ProMedica offers comprehensive behavioral health services with a key focus on inpatient intensive care. Harbor offers significant expertise in a wide range of outpatient mental health programs and services. In July, Harbor and Behavioral Connections of Wood County, Inc., merged. Together, the two agencies have 23 locations and more than 650 employees in Lucas, Wood and Defiance counties providing treatment for mental health and substance abuse.

ProMedica and Harbor already collaborate in behavioral pediatrics and autism at Children's Safe Harbor on the campus of ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital and the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism.

"This is a natural evolution of our relationship and we see a tremendous opportunity to build on existing synergies and strengths," said Lee Hammerling, MD, chief physician executive and chief medical officer, ProMedica. "Now area patients will have access to a full spectrum of high-quality, convenient and coordinated behavioral healthcare services."

Harbor and ProMedica will focus on clinical integration where appropriate to respond to healthcare reform by implementing standard care protocols, guidelines and best practices around the management of behavioral health disorders.

There will also be an increased effort regarding wellness, prevention and education aimed at reducing the stigma of a behavioral health diagnosis and the empowerment of patients through awareness and outreach.

"The most exciting and beneficial part of the agreement is how much it will benefit our clients and their families," said John Sheehan, Harbor's CEO. "The affiliation will make us stronger. We will have more staff resources, and we will have additional program and service opportunities for our patients."

In addition, there will be a focus on increased recruitment of behavioral health specialists to the region. Research shows a severe shortage of psychiatrists and behavioral health providers in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

ProMedica and Harbor will explore new and innovative ways to treat children and adults. One example is the use of Telehealth technology to expand care to patients in rural communities.

The JOC will have a six-member board that will include representatives from both ProMedica and Harbor. The Harbor name will remain and it will operate as an affiliate of ProMedica.