to patient care

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 .

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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 .

“We are excited to bring on increased services for our patients with this new relationship,” said Jared Abel, LMH Health vice president of strategy and clinic operations . “Offering these services to our community not only allows us to provide better care closer to home, but allows our patients time back in their day to avoid traveling into the KC-area for their care . We are grateful for this relationship with The University of Kansas Health System and being able to welcome expanded care options to Lawrence and Douglas County . ”

Background. More than two years ago, LMH Health convened its board members, physicians, senior leaders and community stakeholders to discuss how a strategic clinical relationship with a larger health system could benefit the patients and communities that LMH Health serves .

“In every decision we made, our patients were our most important stakeholders,” Johnson said . “Our goals in collaborating with UKHS are to increase patient access to exceptional specialty care locally, and develop a more coordinated, collaborative process for highly specialized care services not available at LMH . We look forward to exploring the feasibility of creating a formal agreement with UKHS in this realm . ”

Guardrails honoring patient choice are just part of the parameters that will guide conversations with UKHS . UKHS has accepted these must-have agreements in order to enter into discussions for a strategic clinical relationship:

• LMH Health will maintain its independent ownership and governance . • LMH Health will be regarded as a valued, significant counterpart and as the final authority for decisions in our market . • Medical staff must be able to make clinical and referral choices in the best interests of our patients . A relationship cannot interfere with patient choice . • A relationship will uphold LMH Health’s purpose — A Partner for Lifelong Health — in alignment with our strategic plan, values and culture . Bob Page, president and CEO of The University of Kansas Health System, said the health system was looking forward to exploring a strategic clinical relationship with LMH Health .

Beth Llewellyn, chair of the LMH Health board of trustees, said she feels fortunate to have such high quality care locally, and she affirmed the board will make decisions with patients at the forefront .

“LMH Health is recognized today as an exceptional community hospital, and we’re building an extraordinary continuum of care system to manage any healthcare need,” said Llewellyn . “We look forward to exploring a collaboration that will allow us to continue to invest on the community’s behalf in leading edge services, ensuring the highest quality of care . ”

LMH Health and UKHS continue to meet regularly to discuss finalizing a potential arrangement and other service opportunities .

Sheryle D’Amico, LMH Health senior vice president of strategic integration, the primary liaison between LMH Health and UKHS, shared, “Our conversations have been very good — thoughtful, inclusive of physician input and mindful to patient needs . This is a relationship that must serve our community well into the years ahead . It’s imperative that we are prudent in every decision to ensure the highest quality care for our patients .”

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