Aspen Medical Group Chooses Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Partnership enhances ability of both organizations to provide exceptional care
ST. PAUL, Minn. 09/27/2007--The Aspen Medical Group announced yesterday that it has selected Allina Hospitals & Clinics to be its strategic partner in an arrangement that will help both organizations continue to improve the health of the communities they serve. Aspen providers voted on the partnership Tuesday night, and it passed by an overwhelming majority.
When this transaction is complete, Aspen will become a subsidiary of Allina, operating as a distinct division and retaining its board structure and physician and administrative leadership.
"By joining in a strategic partnership, Aspen and Allina not only build on our long and deep history of working together, we also can build on complimentary strengths existing in each organization," said Dick Pettingill, Allina president and CEO. "Aspen has a tremendous group of highly skilled clinicians and an outstanding administrative staff and I look forward to working with them."
Aspen chose Allina after evaluating proposals from several health care systems.
Aspen Medical Group's locations and provider and service mix complement the current Allina Medical Clinic range of primary and specialty care services. There is little geographic overlap between Aspen's clinic locations and Allina Medical Clinic sites.
"Aspen selected Allina because its leaders articulated a singularly compelling vision and have demonstrated the ability to achieve that vision," said Arnold London, MD, board chairperson, Aspen Medical Group. "Joining with Allina will not only help ensure Aspen's long-term viability, but will enable us to invest in initiatives like electronic medical record technology, which will enhance the care we provide. Together, Aspen and Allina will develop community-based services to increase access, patient satisfaction and the quality of care we provide."
Allina will work with Aspen to implement the Excellian electronic medical record, enabling the sharing of best practices for improving care and safety throughout the organization. Through MyChart, Aspen patients will have access to online medical records, test results, scheduling and more.
Together, Allina and Aspen will develop community-based services to increase access, patient satisfaction and health status for the communities they serve.
"As a provider, I am excited to be affiliating with an organization that will help me provide the best possible care to my patients," said Mary Ragsdale, an Aspen nurse practitioner. "I've had a good relationship with Allina for a long time, and I look forward to building on that going forward."
About Aspen Medical Group
Aspen Medical Group is a family of neighborhood clinics located throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Aspen's professional staff of 200 serve patients at nine clinic locations, including three urgent care centers. For more about Aspen, visit www.aspenmed.org.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics and health care services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation. More about Allina and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.
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