Geisinger and Bloomsburg Health System sign definitive agreement

Geisinger and Bloomsburg Health System sign definitive agreement

CONTACT
Geisinger: Amanda O'Rourke, 570-214-9091
Bloomsburg: Lisa Makara, 570-387-2099; 570-336-0036
September 15, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Danville/Bloomsburg, PA - Officials at Geisinger Health System and Bloomsburg Health System announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to fully merge and integrate Bloomsburg Health System and its affiliates into Geisinger. Finalization of this agreement is pending regulatory approval.

"This affiliation is good news for Bloomsburg Health System, our patients and the community," said Bloomsburg Health System President & Chief Executive Officer Regis P. Cabonor. "It is very difficult in today's environment for small, independent hospitals to invest in the facilities, technology and staff necessary to maintain services. We are pleased that the affiliation with Geisinger will help to continue quality, not-for-profit care in the Bloomsburg community."

"Our focus is on further developing community-based programs designed to improve patients' health and well-being, and enhancing the ability to provide superior care and service for all the residents of the region," said Geisinger President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Steele, Jr., MD. "Geisinger has a long history of working with Bloomsburg to meet the healthcare needs of the Columbia-Montour community, and we look forward to this next step in our evolution."

Bloomsburg Health System includes Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg Health Care Center, Columbia Montour Home Health & Hospice, and Bloomsburg Physicians Services. Geisinger and Bloomsburg already collaborate in a number of areas: eight Geisinger doctors have full privileges at Bloomsburg Hospital, with 19 others on the consulting or courtesy staffs; a Geisinger physician serves as medical director of the psychiatry unit and Geisinger provides clinical engineering services at Bloomsburg.


Upon regulatory approval and the closing of the proposed transaction, Bloomsburg Health System's approximately 800 employees will retain their positions and the Bloomsburg Hospital Board of Directors will become an Advisory Council for the new Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital campus. 

"We expect approvals by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Attorney General's office could take approximately six months," said Cabonor. "Moving forward, we will be looking to grow programs that best provide services for patients in the most efficient and appropriate setting."

About Bloomsburg Hospital Health System
For over 100 years, Bloomsburg Hospital has been a true community hospital-built by the community, supported by the community and meeting the needs of the community. Since opening its doors on September 11, 1905, Bloomsburg Hospital has created an integrated health system tailored to provide a continuum of care necessary to meet the evolving needs of the community by acquiring a home health and hospice agency, multi-specialty physician practices and a nursing home.

About Geisinger Health System
Geisinger is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including ProvenHealth Navigator®, an advanced medical home model, and ProvenCare program. The system serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeast Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org. Follow the latest Geisinger news and more at www.twitter.com/geisingerhealth and www.facebook.com/geisingerhealth.

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