“It was clear that Winchester Hospital and Lahey Health are moving in the same direction, have a similar culture and that the two institutions would be of assistance to each other,” said Winchester Hospital Board of Directors Chairman Paul Andrews. “We know that in the short-range we could stand alone and remain a strong, independent hospital,” he continued. “For the long-range picture, however, it makes sense to do this when we are at a point of strength.” According to President and CEO Kevin Smith, Winchester Hospital had to rethink its strategic plan moving forward. “We are an independent hospital that has proudly provided service to the community over the last 100 years. The leadership and Board of Directors believed that now is the right time to continue the journey in a meaningful, structured way with another organization.” Both organizations are committed to providing high-quality, cost-efficient, community-based care focused on effectively and efficiently managing all aspects of health – from wellness to complex care – and providing the greatest value possible to the communities they serve. Maintaining, and improving upon, the delivery of that care is paramount. Operationally, much will remain unchanged. “The same doctors will be available and patients can keep the doctor they have a relationship with,” Smith noted. “The culture of patient-centered care, staff engagement and warmth that we all know so well will also be retained and fostered. What will be different is enhanced access to specialized services Lahey Health offers and the ability to choose those services if desired. The degree of coordinated care will be unmatched.” Lahey Health, which has a solid record of financial success and stability, has committed to a capital investment to upgrade Winchester Hospital’s information technology and equipment, a critical component of a safe, effective and better health care system. The organizations will build a comprehensive system of care in a number of clinical areas, including primary care, women’s health, emergency medicine and cancer care. The combination of Lahey
Health’s specialized advanced clinical tertiary care and Winchester Hospital’s robust community health initiatives will result in exceptional levels of service and care. After a regulatory approval process, Winchester Hospital will join Lahey Health’s Board of Trustees in a shared governance model featuring equal representation from all current member organizations. Winchester Hospital will also maintain its own Board of Directors. Medical Staff President Dr. Richard Toran was co-chair and one of 31 physicians on the Affiliation Steering Committee. He points out that “physicians had an integral role in the process, and we made the correct decision to align with Lahey Health.” Moving forward, a Physician Leadership Council will be formed with eight physician leaders from each hospital. This council will meet regularly to discuss issues of physician interest relating to implementation and will report to the Board of Directors. “Affiliation is our best option,” states Toran, “and our physicians are committed to making it an exemplary success.” Kevin Smith also notes that once the approval process is finalized, Winchester Hospital will add “a member of Lahey Health” to its name. “There is a lot of trust and value in the Winchester Hospital name,” he explains, “plus the strength of the Lahey Health brand.” “This is an opportunity to learn from each other and offer better integrated care,” he continues. “Together, we can provide services far more effectively than we can separately. This supports our most central goal of keeping people as healthy as possible.”