HYDE PARK — University of Chicago Medicine announced Thursday that it intends to combine with Ingalls Health System to treat patients.
Combining the two hospital systems will add Ingalls’ 473-bed hospital in south suburban Harvey and 450 physicians to the university’s health system.
“We’re pleased that our patients will have access to the expertise of one of the best academic medical centers in the country,” said Ingalls President and CEO Kurt Johnson. “Through this partnership, Ingalls will be able to invest in our facilities and enhance our technologies at an accelerated pace, which will help us continue our focus on providing innovative services and a strong regional network of top-rated outpatient services close to home.”
The agreement will be finalized over the next several months and will determine exactly how the two systems share resources, but Ingalls is now done talking to other institutions and will exclusively negotiate with the University of Chicago.
The negotiations over the coming months will determine whether the Ingalls specialists in macular degeneration treatment, retinal treatment and spine surgery come under the umbrella of the university or remain a distinct entity that maintains the Ingalls name.
“Honestly, we don’t know at this point,” said Lorna Wong, a spokeswoman for the university medical center.
In a message that went out to Ingalls employees Thursday morning, Johnson said the expectation was that the two systems would merge their assets and the university would invest in Ingalls’ current inpatient and outpatient services.
“There are no plans to consolidate services and reduce staff. However, industry pressures are forcing all health care providers to maximize efficiencies,” Johnson says in the letter to staff. “This is a reality regardless of whether Ingalls affiliates or not. Our financial stability will be enhanced through this affiliation.”
He told staff that goals included providing continuity for patients by allowing them to continue seeing their current doctors and providing more options within the university’s pool of physicians.
The combination would mark a major expansion for the University of Chicago and considerably add to its current 617 hospital beds and nearly 850 physicians.
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