Fremont Health, Methodist Health System Reach Affiliation Agreement

OMAHA – Strategic partnership discussions between Fremont Health and Methodist Health System, which have been taking place since February, took a major step forward today when the Dodge County Board of Supervisors approved the affiliation agreement between the two local health systems.

The affiliation agreement also garnered approval from the Nebraska Methodist Hospital Board of Directors and the Fremont Health Board of Trustees prior to today’s vote.

The affiliation agreement creates a new organization, Methodist Fremont Health, which will be part of the Methodist Health System health care family. Methodist Health System will lease the hospital and nursing home facility from Fremont Community Health Resources, formerly Fremont Health. The span of the lease is for 50 years, with the option to purchase after 20 years.

The affiliation agreement will become official on Tuesday, July 24 at 2 p.m., when a document signing press conference will be held at Fremont Health Medical Center. Leadership from both organizations will address the media prior to the document signing.

“This is certainly an exciting time for us,” said Patrick Booth, president and CEO of Fremont Health. “Leadership from both organizations have worked diligently over the past few months to reach an agreement that achieves the key objectives established by each organization. The affiliation between Methodist and Fremont Health will enhance access to care, services and the latest technologies for patients in the region.”

The discussions solidified the belief of Methodist Health System leadership that Fremont Health was a great fit – baring many similarities to Methodist’s mission and culture.

“We certainly looked at facilities, services, their medical staff and programs, but for us mission and culture are very important,” said Steve Goeser, president and CEO of Methodist Health System. “As our discussions continued it became very apparent this partnership would be beneficial to both organizations, but more importantly to the communities we serve. We were honored to be chosen by Fremont Health during their search for a strategic partner and welcome them to the Methodist family.”

Some highlights of the agreement:
 

• All current Fremont Health employees and physicians will be hired by Methodist Fremont Health and/or Methodist Physicians Clinic.
   
• Key clinical programs and services will be maintained in Fremont, while also having access to a larger network of specialists and programs.
   
• Methodist Fremont Health will continue to offer a variety of community health programs as well as sports medicine services to Midland University and area high schools.

Fremont Health is comprised of Fremont Health Medical Center, which includes 75 inpatient beds (55 acute care and 20 behavioral health beds), Dunklau Gardens (nursing home facility) and a number of physician and specialty clinics.

Fremont Heath has more than 150 active members on their medical staff, with 25 of those employed by Fremont Health. They employ more than 900 people and have more than 200 volunteers.

Methodist Health System is comprised of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital and Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. Methodist also has 25 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, medical supply distributorship and central laundry.

Methodist Health System currently employs 6,725 full-time, part-time and casual employees, while boasting a medical staff of just over 1,000 between hospital and clinic locations.