Danbury, New Milford Hospitals Announce

Formal Partnership

DANBURY — John M. Murphy, MD, president and CEO of Danbury Hospital, and Richard J. Henley FACHE, FHFMA, interim president and CEO of New Milford Hospital, signed the final official agreement October 1 that joins the two hospitals under one corporate entity, Western Connecticut Healthcare.

The affiliation allows the two hospitals to retain their separate licenses and boards, but will promote collaboration and efficiencies through a shared vision. Careful attention will be paid to providing innovative and accessible quality health care through an integrated network for residents of western Connecticut and adjacent New York State.

Dr Murphy, soon to be president and CEO of Western Connecticut Healthcare, said, “This is an incredible opportunity for our hospitals but also our community. Our collective capacity will be strengthened with new resources enabling us to take a proactive and cost-effective approach to health care reform and will allow us to continue to raise the bar in providing even a higher level of patient care for the residents in our region.”

Mr Henley added, “We are most gratified by the encouragement and support we have received from the community, our patients, physicians, nurses, and employees. We look forward to working together to build the best regional healthcare destination for patients.”

What will it look like?

*Two hospitals with a shared vision

*Collaborative medical staff with cross privilege opportunities

*Core clinical services at each facility

*Seamless patient-centered care

*Shared resources and greater access to new technology

Benefits of the affiliation include:

*High quality care close to home

*Uniformly high standards of care and higher patient satisfaction

*Improved access through a larger region and pool of physicians and resources

*Improved operating performance

*Improved access to capital

Danbury Hospital is a 371-bed regional medical center and university teaching hospital associated with the University of Vermont-College of Medicine, the Yale University School of Medicine, the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center.

Founded in 1921, New Milford Hospital is an 85-bed community hospital and Planetree affiliate dedicated to patient-centered care that nurtures every patient’s mind, body, and spirit. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Approved with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer.