CROUSE-UPSTATE PROPOSED MERGER WILL SYRACUSE BE A TWO-HOSPITAL TOWN?

Early 2023 officials were waiting for regulatory approval, including a certificate of need from New York State Department of Health

BY DEBORAH JEANNE SERGEANT

As announced in April 2022, Upstate Medical University is still seeking to acquire the operations of Crouse Hospital, which would become part of the Upstate Medical University Health System.

The acquisition would include all of Crouse Hospital’s inpatient and outpatient functions and would change Crouse’s name to Upstate Crouse Hospital and Upstate Crouse Medical Practice.

According to reports, the acquisition would not result in lost jobs for either of the present organizations, but would bring 13,000 employees and 1,200 hospital beds under one system’s administration, which would then offer more than 70 medical specialties.

The pandemic, in part, prompted the proposed merger as healthcare providers have sought to collaborate and combine resources to improve care and increase healthcare access in an industry that has long since faced staffing and staff replacement issues nationwide.

“There has been a natural progression in our relationship over the years,” said physician Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital, in a statement. “Between the two organizations, there are many clinical services that complement each other. Formalizing the relationship with Crouse—and making it a key component of our University Hospital system— would allow these services to flourish.”

In addition to recognizing how the organizations complement each other, their leadership has also developed cultural similarities, according to Kimberly Boynton, CEO of Crouse Health.

“In fact, the two cultures are more aligned now than they have ever been,” she said in a release. “Both organizations believe in mutual trust, respect, strong leadership and a shared commitment to providing the best in patient care.”

The acquisition is waiting on regulatory approval, including a certificate of need from the state’s Department of Health. This process takes several months.

Crouse Health was established in 1887 and has been ranked as a top 10 employer in CNY with 3,200 employees and 900 physicians. Its specialties include a neo-natal intensive care unit, care for high-risk obstetrics, diagnostic and interventional cardiac care, neurosciences/stroke care and addiction treatment. Crouse Health operates Pomeroy College of Nursing, which enrolls 300 nursing stu- dents annually.

SUNY Upstate employs 11,000 and is Central New York’s largest employer. The organization provides burn and trauma care, stroke care and many specialized cancer, neurosurgical and pediatric services that serve patients from Canada to Pennsylvania.

As part of the State University of New York system, Upstate enrolls 1,600 students and offers degrees in medicine, nursing and a variety of health professions. Its researchers conduct more than $40 million in funded studies annually.

“Our board has always focused on the best way to meet community health needs and this joining of two highly-regarded institutions committed to Central New York will help ensure the quality care our communities deserve,” said Patrick A. Mannion, Crouse Health board chairman, in a statement. “Discussions between Crouse and Upstate have always revolved around creating the best environment possible for patients, medical professionals and dedicated staff. The board determined that integration with a local partner was the best option for Crouse, and given our history, Upstate was the preferred choice, one that the community will embrace.”