Hospice of the Western Reserve and HMC Hospice of Medina County have signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore a strategic partnership of the not-for-profit organizations that offers comprehensive services for those who struggle with progressive illness. No immediate workforce reductions at either agency are planned.
At the present time, both entities will continue to operate independently, under their own names. Donor contributions will continue to be directed toward support in their respective communities. Combined, HMC Hospice of Medina County and Hospice of the Western Reserve care for more than 1,200 patients and their families each day.
Representatives from both agencies are continuing a period of fact finding and due diligence to study the full implications of moving forward with an agreement. The goal of both organizations is to have a decision or agreement in place by the end of summer 2015. The volunteer community boards of both organizations unanimously support the effort, believing it will improve access to well-coordinated care for the patients and families who need it most.
Both agencies are legacy providers of hospice and palliative care in the Northern Ohio region with deeply committed bases. Their volunteers and donors have been devoted to serving the missions of the organizations in their respective communities for more than 30 years. Each agency has added programs and services in response to community need. Many of these programs complement each other. Collectively, they will provide patients and families continuing support and a greater depth of services.
"In the new environment of reform, all health care providers are challenged to identify ways to operate more efficiently to meet the needs of the communities they serve," said Bill Finn, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of the Western Reserve. "HMC Hospice of Medina County shares our commitment to best practices, greater public transparency and accountability, research and collaboration with academic institutions and community advocacy. Patients and families will be the real beneficiaries of an agreement; they will benefit from a greater depth of services offered by the combined agencies."
"The two agencies have a long history of collaboration within the region," added Cindy L. Steeb, Board President, HMC Hospice of Medina County. "This affiliation makes sense on many levels: philosophically, operationally and financially. By combining operations, the new organization will capitalize on shared operational expertise and economies of scale to proactively address these challenges. Our families will benefit from greater efficiency and increased access to our combined services."