U.Va., Novant discuss the creation of regional health system

The University of Virginia Health System and North Carolina-based Novant Health are discussing the creation of a Northern Virginia regional health system.

The proposed agreement would include UVA Culpeper Hospital and all of Novant's Virginia facilities, including Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center, Novant Health Prince William Medical Center and Novant Health Cancer Center in Gainesville.

According to a statement issued by both health systems, U.Va. and Novant representatives have signed a nonbinding letter of intent and have begun discussions about a joint operating company for UVA Culpeper Hospital and Novant's Virginia operations by June 30.

The discussions will include how Novant Health and U.Va. can coordinate cancer care, increasing access to U.Va’s  subspecialty cancer care throughout the regional health system.
“We believe a joint operating company will help ensure patients throughout Northern Virginia receive quality care at the right time and the right place, while also providing care in a more efficient manner.” Dr. Richard P. Shannon, U.Va.'s executive vice president for health affairs, said in the statement. “Novant Health has a long track record of successfully managing community health systems, making them an ideal partner for this alliance.”

“Through this new regional health system, patients will be able to connect with the expertise U.Va. provides as an academic medical center, including subspecialty care and potential breakthrough treatments through clinical trials, while benefitting from Novant Health's experience with increasing access to care when and where patients need it,” Carl S. Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, said in a statement.  “Novant Health has a strong presence in Northern Virginia and this proposed partnership only strengthens our ability to identify best practices, advance our population health strategy and lower healthcare costs.”

Under the proposed arrangement, U.Va. and Novant intend for each of the hospitals in the regional health system to continue directly employing all existing staff.

University of Virginia is an academic health system that includes a 612-bed hospital, the U.Va. School of Medicine, a level I trauma center, cancer and heart centers, and primary and specialty clinics throughout Central Virginia.

Novant, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., is a four-state  network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals.  Novant includes more than 1,200 physicians and 26,000 employees at nearly 500 locations, including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics.