Care New England merging with Partners Healthcare

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Care New England Health System announced Wednesday that it has elected to join Partners Healthcare of Massachusetts.

The Board of Directors from Care New England has selected Partners after reviewing over 12 state, regional, and national organizations.

This comes in part with an important announcement by CNE regarding its plans for Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket.

CNE announced Wednesday that it has selected Prime Healthcare Foundation to pursue an acquisition of Memorial Hospital.

Both CNE and Partners Healthcare will continue to work together as the next phases of agreements continue.

The letter of intent includes Kent Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, the VNA of Care New England, Butler Hospital, and The Providence Center.

“Today’s announcement represents the positive results of an extremely careful and deliberate process intended to ensure the best clinical, financial, and strategic direction forward for CNE,” said Board Chair Charles R. Reppucci. “While we are taking the first steps in this process, we do so with the utmost optimism and dedication to ensuring the successful completion of this affiliation with Partners which represents a unique and compelling opportunity in the advancement of Rhode Island health care delivery.”

Said CNE President and CEO Dennis Keefe, “This is a tremendous opportunity for both organizations to further advance their commitment to high-quality health care, access to leading-edge clinical treatment, world-class academics, and most importantly, enhanced opportunities for patients. I believe both organizations are uniquely aligned in our commitments to the community and together we will proceed with focus and collaboration.”

“Care New England and the Brigham have worked together since 2009 to benefit people in Rhode Island by improving the availability and accessibility of high quality medical and surgical services in the community,” said Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD. “By combining the talent, experience and resources of our organizations, we envision offering more integrated, coordinated care conveniently – in the right place at the right time – improving quality and outcomes and reducing the rise in health care costs.”

“As health reform here and across the nation evolves, providers are developing more regional strategies and this affiliation between Partners and Care New England is a natural step in that evolution. However, despite the many changes in health policy, one constant has always remained – at the heart of all our efforts is the patient,” said Partners HealthCare President and CEO David Torchiana, MD.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017