he Board of Trustees for Anna Jaques Hospital has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore joining the proposed combined system of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Lahey Health, and New England Baptist Hospital. As such, Anna Jaques Hospital would become a part of an integrated health care delivery system that will extend across Eastern Massachusetts. Anna Jaques Hospital already has a clinical affiliation with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is a member of the Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization (BIDCO) network.
“Joining the new BIDMC/Lahey/Baptist health system presents a compelling and unique opportunity to position Anna Jaques for long-term strategic growth and continued success,” said Mark L. Goldstein, president and CEO of Anna Jaques Hospital. “It would further expand and enhance clinical services in our region. BIDMC and Lahey Health share our vision and commitment to high-value, community-based health care, and have a proven track record of strengthening their community hospital affiliates. After years of working collaboratively with BIDMC, we look forward to exploring this next step in the evolution of our relationship.”
Anna Jaques Hospital and BIDMC have had a clinical affiliation in place since 2010. The clinical affiliation has brought highly specialized care to the greater Newburyport community, including establishing co-branded services such as the Anna Jaques Cancer Center affiliated with BIDMC, Gerrish Breast Care Center, Thoracic Clinic, and the Maternal-Fetal Medicine program for high-risk pregnancies.
“We are very proud of our longstanding, successful affiliation with Anna Jaques Hospital, which has benefited patients and the community,” said Kevin Tabb, MD, CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “At the heart of our proposed combined system is a shared commitment to keeping high quality, lower cost care in the community as much as possible. Anna Jaques is an exceptional community hospital, and they will be an essential partner in our efforts to continue to improve the health and wellbeing of patients throughout Eastern Massachusetts.”
“Anna Jaques is a well-respected institution that delivers high-quality health care in the local community,” said Howard Grant, JD, MD, president and CEO of Lahey Health. “Including another organization that shares our commitment to community healthcare will strengthen the new health system we are exploring with BIDMC and New England Baptist Hospital. Together, we will create an integrated network of hospitals and physicians committed to providing care in the most appropriate setting and in the local community whenever possible. Our goal is to lower costs while delivering superb care in a compassionate manner closer to where our patients live.”
The combination of these systems will require various state and federal reviews and approvals.