Collaboration with The University of Kansas Health System underscores commitment to patient care LMH Health invited The University of Kansas Health System (UKHS) to discuss a potential strategic clinical relationship in late August 2021. These conversations aimed at increasing access and coordination of highly specialized care across the community hospital’s service area. LMH Health administrators and physicians led discussions with UKHS counterparts to determine if the systems could develop a committed relationship focused on clinical, strategic and operational improvements. The goal was to achieve this, while honoring each other’s “guardrails.” LMH Health’s guardrails — the most important of which is maintaining LMH Health’s independence — were set by the LMH Health Board of Trustees. “LMH Health is not for sale,” said Russ Johnson, LMH Health president and chief executive officer. “We have parameters in place that protect our independence and charitable care mission while allowing us to increase access to exceptional specialized care locally. Ultimately, our goal in collaborating with UKHS is to create a positive patient experience.” The discussions have been thoughtful and deliberate, keeping our guardrails in the forefront. Based on physician feedback and direction, we have initially focused discussions on three service lines (orthopedics, oncology and cardiology), as well as clinical opportunities for maternal fetal medicine and vascular surgery. At this time, the systems have worked in tandem to expand two healthcare services in Lawrence and Douglas County: orthopedic care and advanced maternal and fetal medicine.
Orthopedic care. As part of a collaboration between LMH Health/OrthoKansas and UKHS, Erik Henkelman, MD, began providing sports medicine care within the OrthoKansas suite at LMH Health West campus in 2021. Dr. Henkelman completed his sports medicine fellowship through The University of Kansas Medical Center, which included clinical rotations with Stephan Prô, MD, at LMH Health/OrthoKansas. Dr. Henkelman joined The University of Kansas Physicians on completion of his training and now provides care in two locations in Lawrence as part of the continued collaboration between both systems. Advanced maternal and fetal medicine. In early December 2021,
LMH Health welcomed The University of Kansas Health System’s Advanced Maternal and Fetal Care Clinic to the Women’s Center at the LMH Health West Campus. The advanced maternal and fetal care team offers leading-edge care for women and babies prior to, during and shortly after pregnancy. As the largest, most comprehensive team in Kansas and the region, their expertise, resources and outreach improve patient outcomes and comprehensive care.
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