NYU Langone Medical Center is wasting no time pushing forward plans to expand its reach into Long Island through an affiliation with Mineola, L.I.-based Winthrop-University Hospital. The two hospitals announced they were exploring a plan to create an integrated health network on Long Island in July, and Wednesday they said their respective boards have approved an affiliation agreement that will bring the two institutions together.
The hospitals will need to get approval from the state before they join forces.
"We quickly realized that an affiliation would allow our institutions to enhance the range and quality of services offered to the residents of Long Island, as well as grow key ambulatory services and the physician network across the region, with Winthrop as the primary inpatient hospital," said Dr. Robert Grossman, dean and chief executive of NYU Langone Medical Center, in a statement.
Prior to exploring a partnership with NYU Langone, a spokesman for Winthrop-University Hospital expressed concerns about joining Northwell Health, the largest health system on Long Island, out of fear that its services would be compromised. The deal with NYU Langone appears to ensure that Winthrop will maintain its scope of care.
"I think NYU Langone recognizes that Winthrop stands as a truly unique health care institution on Long Island—a major academic and research hospital that delivers high-quality care in an extremely personal and compassionate environment," said John Collins, Winthrop's president and chief executive, in a statement.
In turn, Collins said, NYU Langone "will be able to help us continue to expand our services to meet the needs of our community as well as provide access to a whole new source of world-class medical care."
Both Winthrop and NYU Langone are thriving. Winthrop reported a $29.4 million gain in operating revenue in fiscal 2015, with $19.5 million in operating profits. For its part, NYU Langone earned about $229 million from operations in its 2015 fiscal year, which ended Aug. 30.
Through the agreement, the two hospitals will develop a plan to the expand both inpatient and outpatient services on Long Island based on projected needs in the community. They also aim to implement an integrated electronic medical records system to share patient data. If the plan is approved, Winthrop's administration will remain intact, and the hospitals will share some board members, according to the announcement.
After the first five years of affiliation, the hospitals plan to complete a full asset merger.
"NYU Langone expands into Long Island through affiliation with Winthrop-University Hospital" originally appeared in Crain's New York Business.