Tuality Healthcare and Oregon Health & Science University today announced a final agreement that will integrate the organizations’ clinical services. The affiliation combines Tuality’s deep community roots with OHSU’s role as a provider of complex and advanced specialty care.
Tuality’s clinical operations will be managed by OHSU Healthcare, under the strategic direction of OHSU Partners, a recently formed management company. Tuality will maintain its strong local presence, board of directors, and its employees and doctors. Through the clinical affiliation, the organizations aim to better serve patients in Washington County with a highly coordinated array of services that are expected to expand over time.
“Tuality Healthcare has been rooted in Washington County for nearly a century. The affiliation with OHSU cements our commitment to the finest quality health care for generations to come. Tuality’s board and OHSU recognize our roles as stewards of health care, and believe our collaborative approach will lead health care transformation in Washington County through a community-based, sustainable approach,” said Mark Rosenbaum, chairman of Tuality’s board of directors.
Tuality and OHSU first began working together through the Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center, which opened in 2002. Tuality and OHSU share a commitment to creating greater value for patients by improving outcomes, increasing access to care and managing costs.
“Our model is focused on retaining each organization’s strengths, while finding new ways to improve outcomes and value for patients,” said OHSU President Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A. “It’s an Oregon-based approach to the emerging health care environment – creating value in communities through collaboration, instead of a traditional alignment-through-acquisition approach.”
The affiliation will allow both parties to share in a coordinated approach to clinical operations – utilizing health resources more efficiently than either organization could accomplish independently.
“Together, Tuality and OHSU are well poised to create healthier communities in Washington County,” added Tuality President and CEO Manny Berman. “We’ve touched many lives since our founding in 1918. Our path forward will reflect our dedication to the patients and communities we serve.”
About Tuality Healthcare
Tuality Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in Washington County, serving a market area of 350,000 and growing. Tuality is a nonprofit, community-based organization with hospitals in Hillsboro and Forest Grove, and numerous physician and outpatient clinics. Tuality offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical services, including comprehensive cardiac, cancer and stroke care. Tuality has a medical staff of 300 doctors and other healthcare professionals, and is one of the region’s largest employers with a staff of over 1,200. Tuality also provides free and low-cost health classes and support groups for the community through the Tuality Health Education Center. Tuality Health Alliance administers the Oregon Health Plan for portions of Washington County and the Tuality Healthcare Medical Plan. For more information, please visit www.tuality.org or www.facebook.com/Tuality.
About Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only public academic health center. As one of Oregon's largest employers with more than 15,000 employees, OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients throughout the region. It operates two hospitals. OHSU Hospital is a Level 1 trauma center that is a key provider of complex medical care in Oregon. OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is nationally recognized across multiple pediatric specialties. OHSU is a conduit for learning for more than 4,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to each county in the state.
About OHSU Partners
OHSU Partners is a company that strategically manages the clinical enterprises of OHSU and Salem Health as an integrated system. In 2015, Salem Health and OHSU affiliated to create an integrated system governed by the boards of OHSU and Salem Health, and intended to grow with new affiliations. The shared vision is to support a world-class, value-based healthcare system that combines the finest attributes of an academic health center with the best traits of community-based care. Under the strategic direction of OHSU Partners, the integrated system will expand access to care, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes for Oregonians.
For more information, please contact:
Gerry Ewing
Director of Corporate Communications
Tuality Healthcare
Office: (503) 681-1654
Cell: (971) 217-0757; (503) 544-1255
gerry.ewing@tuality.org
Beth Heinrich
Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications
Oregon Health & Science University
Office: (503) 494-0193
Cell: (503) 501-6619
heinricb@ohsu.edu