A state Department of Health project review committee has approved an affiliation agreement that would make White Plains Hospital a member of Montefiore Health System Inc.
The tentative agreement between the White Plains institution with Montefiore ”“ which last year acquired and took over operations of bankrupt Sound Shore Health System”™s community hospitals in New Rochelle and Mount Vernon ”“ was first announced in April.
Final approval of the agreement, which makes Bronx-based Montefiore the “active parent” and co-operator of the 292-bed community hospital in White Plains, is expected in October from the Health Department”™s Public Health and Health Planning Council. Spokespersons for White Plains Hospital in email messages stressed the affiliation was a “partnership” or “alliance” rather than a merger with or takeover by Montefiore Health System.
Montefiore officials in their Health Department application said the White Plains hospital will be used as the hub for Montefiore”™s tertiary level of hospital services. No changes in hospital services and staffing in White Plains will result from the affiliation, according to Montefiore”™s application.
“The relationship we are embarking on with Montefiore will be a partnership, designed with many benefits to both sides,” said White Plains Hospital CEO Jon B. Schandler in a press release. “We will continue to treat patients close to home, in a setting where physicians, nurses and staff consider them to be family. White Plains Hospital will continue to provide exceptional care for our community, and with Montefiore as our partner, we are well positioned to provide advanced community-based health care well into the future.”
Dr. Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, in the joint announcement of the Sept. 18 regulatory approval, said the agreement “will make White Plains Hospital the regional hub of Montefiore”™s Westchester care network. Working with the private-practice physician community and other providers, Montefiore and White Plains Hospital will offer Westchester residents a well-coordinated system of care and the benefits of Montefiore”™s innovative, integrated care delivery system and academic partnership with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.”
