YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield Communities are partnering on children's services in what health system officials call a first-of-its-kind collaboration to address coverage gaps in the area.
The health systems have issued a request for proposal seeking a full-service pediatric partner for the arrangement announced this morning in a news release.
“Gaps in coverage mean we have to send patients back and forth between our two hospitals, and sometimes we have to send kids and families out of town for advanced care,” said Dr. John Burson, regional service line chair for women and children at Mercy Springfield Communities, in the release.
The goal of the RFP, officials say, is to align pediatric care units from both health systems with the selected partner.
“Our hope is that by working together and by issuing the RFP, we can find a viable solution that transforms pediatric care for our region for generations to come,” said David Argueta, president of Mercy Springfield Communities, in the release. “This project is closely tied to both of our missions, and I believe this could be a transformative opportunity for the Springfield region.”
The partnership marks the first time CoxHealth and Mercy have collaborated at this scale, according to the release. Talks began over a year ago between Argueta and CoxHealth President and CEO Max Buetow.
Buetow said the partnership would build on the health systems' existing collaboration when it comes to children's services, as well as "an air of collaboration in our community."
"We are thrilled with this first step and optimistic about what this means for the future of pediatric patients in our region," he said in the release.
CoxHealth and Mercy have scheduled a Dec. 13 public listening session at Jarrett Middle School for community members to ask questions about the project.
A timeline and other details are slated to be shared in the near future, according to the release.
Additional coverage on the partnership between CoxHealth and Mercy will be in Springfield Business Journal’s Nov. 20 print edition.
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
