AllSpire Health Partners includes seven health networks covering a service area of more than 6 million people, making it the largest of its kind in the nation.
View full sizeLehigh Valley Health Network is joining a new health care consortium. Lehigh Valley Health Network is among seven health systems that have formed a consortium aimed at improving quality of care, sharing best practices and reducing costs.
AllSpire Health Partners is an alliance of health systems -- 25 hospitals in all in Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- that organizers say is the largest of its kind in the nation.
They announced the consortium late Wednesday night.
The partnership covers a service area of more than 6 million people and will allow the health networks to share best clinical practices, research and education to enhance community health care.
Members include hospitals with more than 20 specialties ranked in the top 50 nationwide by US News & World Report.
Besides Lehigh Valley Health Network, participating systems include Atlantic Health System in Morristown, N.J.; Hackensack University Health Network in Hackensack, N.J.; Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, Pa.; Meridian Health in Neptune, N.J.; Reading Health System in Reading, Pa.; and WellSpan Health in York, Pa.
“This is the first step in a new chapter that will propel us to transform health care delivery,” said Karen J. Kessler, chairwoman of the board of Atlantic Health System and the new board of trustees of AllSpire Health Partners. “This consortium will produce seven cutting-edge health systems working in tandem, giving patients greater access to best-in-class health care services. This is the future of health care.”
Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO Dr. Ronald W. Swinfard said the consortium is a harbinger for the industry and health care delivery.
“In the decades to come, we will be recognized as a world leader in health care innovation, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improve the health status of the individuals and communities we serve,” Swinfard said in a statement.
Added William F. Hecht, chairman of the board of Lehigh Valley Health Network: “This groundbreaking alliance among seven health systems provides the tools for us at Lehigh Valley Health Network to deliver a higher level of care to people in the Lehigh Valley.”
Organizers say AllSpire Health Partners was created to improve patients' experiences, improve health and create more affordable health care.
The alliance is not a merger of health systems and others may join the partnership as it evolves, organizers said. Participating hospitals will continue to operate under their own name and leadership.