Montefiore takes over Sound Shore hospitals
Montefiore Health System officials announced Wednesday the opening of Montefiore New Rochelle, Montefiore Mount Vernon and Schaffer Extended Care Center at the former Sound Shore Health System hospitals and nursing home in those cities.
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in August approved Bronx-based Montefiore”™s acquisition of assets of Sound Shore Health System, which in late May filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition as a condition for the recently closed deal. Montefiore agreed to a purchase price of $54 million, in addition to the appraised value of furniture, equipment and inventory at Sound Shore facilities, according to court documents. Much of the payment was to be applied to Sound Shore liabilities that Montefiore has assumed.
Montefiore officials Wednesday said programs and services will continue at the community hospitals, the majority of jobs will be preserved and the surrounding businesses will continue to benefit from ongoing operations. Nursing students can continue their education at the nursing school affiliated with the Mount Vernon hospital.
“We plan to revitalize healthcare delivery in New Rochelle and Mount Vernon by keeping care local and bringing Montefiore”™s expertise as an integrated healthcare delivery system and academic medical center,” Dr. Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO at Montefiore Health System, said in a statement announcing the opening. “We will build on each hospital”™s strengths and expand ambulatory care to improve the health of the community. I am particularly excited we are able to continue the school of nursing and advance nursing excellence.”
Montefiore, the university hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, will provide New Rochelle and Mount Vernon patients with access to its Centers of Excellence, including research-driven, multidisciplinary and comprehensive care, 450 active clinical trials and innovative treatments.
All physicians previously affiliated with Sound Shore have been invited to apply for an appointment to practice at Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon. The medical residency program will continue at Montefiore New Rochelle.
Dr. Andrew D. Racine, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Montefiore, said Montefiore “is committed to aligning efforts with private practice physicians. They are an integral part of both hospitals.”
Montefiore officials said all eligible and qualified staff workers at the former Sound Shore facilities have been hired and the new owner has worked closely with unions representing hospital and nursing home workers to ensure a smooth transition.
In addition to the new campuses in New Rochelle and Mount Vernon, Montefiore operates nine health facilities in Westchester that provide primary and specialty care. It has two business campuses in Yonkers and Tarrytown where more than 1,600 associates are employed. In the second half of 2014, Montefiore will open a new pathology lab in Mount Vernon with an additional 300 employees.
“Change takes time, but we are committed to improving these hospitals and creating environments that foster excellence in patient care and accountability to the communities we serve,” Safyer said. “We will look to community leaders and elected officials to inform our response to community needs. The doctors, nurses and hospital staff have shown admirable dedication to their patients and we will work with them to reach new levels of exceptional patient care.”