Summit Healthcare announced they have entered into a collaboration agreement with Banner Health to provide continuing care to the patients who are seen at Summit Healthcare but need a higher level of care that Summit Healthcare may not be able to provide.
Across the country, healthcare facilities are joining forces to create large networks of healthcare providers and transitioning to accountable care organizations, focused on increased collaboration.
Summit Healthcare identifies Banner Health as a preferred provider for a higher level of specialty care and telemedicine health care services. Banner Health provides patients in the White Mountain communities immediate access to a tele-psychiatrist or tele-neurologist through a real time video conferencing unit located at Summit Healthcare’s Emergency Department.
“This collaboration is an example of how healthcare organizations can work together to provide quality healthcare services that one facility may not have available to our communities,” says Ron McArthur, CEO of Summit Healthcare, “ultimately the residents of our communities benefit when resources are used to expand rather than duplicate services.”
Banner Health is Arizona’s second largest private employer operating 16 hospitals in the state (Casa Grande Regional Medical Center will become part of Banner on June 9), as well as in health centers and clinics and other related services. “Summit Healthcare provides outstanding care to its community and we’re very pleased and honored to collaborate as their partner to provide broader access through expanded services in the area,” said Banner’s Arizona East Region President Becky Kuhn. “We look forward to continued discussions about further opportunities for collaboration in support of Summit Healthcare’s mission to serve residents of and visitors to the White Mountain community,” Kuhn stated.
