Jordan Hospital, Beth Israel Finalize Merger

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Jordan Health Systems Inc., have signed an agreement merging the Plymouth-based hospital into the growing health care system. 

Both hospitals issued a joint press release Aug. 1, announcing the merger. 

The merger will "improve, expand and enhance care and services for residents on the South Shore and Cape Cod....while allowing Jordan Hospital to retain local management and board governance," according to the release.

Jordan will likely change its name to reflect the growing system that includes Beth Israel Deaconess-Needham and Beth Israel Deaconess-Milton, according to the Boston Business Journal. 

Jordan Hospital will retain its own board of directors, but three members will be representatives of BIDMC. Meanwhile Jordan will have one representative on the BI’s board. Under the agreement, BIDMC will become the sole "corporate member" or parent corporation of Jordan Hospital Health Systems and Jordan Hospital.

"This is a powerful alliance for our region," Peter Holden, President and CEO of Jordan Hospital, said. "A teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess is a world-renowned medical institution. They share our values and bring tremendous depth to everyone we serve in the Plymouth area and beyond."

Both boards have approved the agreement and paperwork has been filed with state and federal regulators. In Massachusetts, the deal will be reviewed by the Public Health Council and the newly-formed Massachusetts Health Policy Commission which will review the transaction and conduct a "cost and market impact review."

"We are pleased to welcome Jordan Hospital into our growing network of community hospitals and physician groups," Kevin Tabb, MD, President and CEO of BIDMC, said. "We look forward to working with Jordan to care for southeastern Massachusetts residents in a way that is fundamental to our long-standing philosophy to provide the right care in the right place at the right time."

The hospitals plan to increase the number of primary care doctors and specialists in the Plymouth area, enabling patients to stay closer to home while undergoing treatment. 

The hospitals will work immediately to increase the number of primary care physicians and specialists in the Plymouth area to enable patients to stay closer to home for treatment. If a higher level of complex care is required, BIDMC will provide treatment until a patient can return home.

The agreement could mean appointments to Harvard Medical School for some Jordan Hospital doctors, as well as "broad collaboration in health care quality initiatives and quality assurance processes; and the establishment of two-way access to electronic medical records of patients seen by both organizations to enhance the coordination of care."