Beginning in 2013, Beaumont Health System and Henry Ford Health System will enter into a new relationship with one another.

In a joint effort, the two Michigan-based systems will implement goals in order to improve health care to patients.

Getting started

The idea came about in response to the country’s changing health care conditions.

Chairman of the Board of Directors for Beaumont Health System, Steve Howard, said he recognized the similar values  both systems share.

“The decision to sign a letter of intent for a merger followed months of study and deliberation by both organizations on how to continue their nationally recognized industry leadership in the face of the changing health care environment,” Howard said.

Robert Folberg, founding dean of the OU William Beaumont School of Medicine, said  education will remain the overall goal of Beaumont and Henry Ford.

“Beaumont’s commitment to its relationship with OU through the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine will continue,” Folberg said. “The OUWB School of Medicine has already been very successful in attracting students locally and around the country.”

Hoping to improve

Chief medical officer and executive vice president of Beaumont Health System, Ananias Diokno, has high hopes for the merge in terms of how it will affect Michigan.

“Our new organization will be one of the most comprehensive health systems in Michigan, as measured by revenue and patients served,” Diokno said.

Remaining a nonprofit

According to Colette Stimmell, director of corporate communications  for Beaumont, both entities will also uphold their values as nonprofit organizations.

“The Boards of the two not-for-profit systems authorized the development of a new organization that will include all of the assets, liabilities and operations of both Beaumont and Henry Ford,” Stimmell said. “This is not a financial transaction.”

As far as a new brand name for the combined systems,  the two entities will keep their current, separate names, according to Stimmell. There are currently no plans to combine the brand names.

Contact Staff Reporter Sarah Blanchette via email at [email protected]