Northwest Hospital and Medical Center, a 281-bed acute care hospital, has agreed to an expanded affiliation with the University of Washington School of Medicine health system.
The University of Washington Board of Regents endorsed the expanded affiliation agreement at a Sept. 17 meeting. Northwest Hospital will become the newest entity of UW Medicine, joining Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, University of Washington Physicians, Airlift Northwest and the UW School of Medicine.
UW Medicine is also a member of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Children's University Medical Group and has close affiliations with Seattle Children's, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.
"Northwest Hospital is an outstanding institution with a very strong presence in the community and a history of excellence in clinical care," said Paul Ramsey, MD, CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine. "This integration will support the UW Medicine mission of improving the health of the public through research, teaching and patient care and will foster and expand Northwest Hospital's mission of serving the community's healthcare needs."
UW Medicine and Northwest Hospital will finalize the agreement over the coming weeks. The transaction is expected to be completed by Dec. 31.
"We believe this partnership only strengthens our ability to meet our mission of raising the community's long-term health status," said Bill Schneider, president and CEO of Northwest Hospital. "By collaborating with UW Medicine, we will be able to enhance and expand services and facilities, giving our community greater access to more healthcare options."
The UW Board of Regents endorsement enables UW Medicine CEO Paul Ramsey to execute the documents necessary to implement the affiliation on behalf of the university.
UW Medicine has had a relationship with Northwest Hospital since 1997, when the two entities signed a cooperative program agreement to collaborate on selected patient care, clinical research and educational activities.
UW and Northwest Hospital anticipate the first opportunities for clinical collaboration under the new affiliation will center around cardiovascular services, oncology services and maternal and child health.
"It is clear that our successful existing relationship, as well as the potential for new programs in clinical care, teaching and research helped lead us to a larger partnership," said Ramsey.
Northwest Hospital and Medical Center is a full-service, non-profit hospital located minutes north of downtown Seattle. UW Medicine trains new physicians and medical scientists, researches health and disease and provides primary and specialty care to patients from Seattle and across the Pacific Northwest.