New strategic clinical relationship inked

On February 22, 2023, the LMH Health Board of Trustees voted to approve a strategic clinical relationship with The University of Kansas Health System, paving the way for clinical partnerships that increase patient access to specialty care in and around Douglas County The agreement serves as a framework for the two separate institutions to explore collaborative endeavors, while ensuring LMH Health retains its independence .

Since 2019, a collaborative team of LMH Health physicians and administrators have worked with the Board of Trustees to explore how a strategic clinical relationship might strengthen local services, bring new specialists to the community and improve the coordination of specialized patient care All of these goals are designed to support the LMH Health medical staff and their work to continue providing outstanding care within an independent healthcare model .

LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson said it is important to remember that LMH Health has not been sold, and it is not for sale This arrangement ensures that LMH Health can remain a non-profit, independent community hospital for years to come . LMH Health is operating from a position of strength, leveraging a well-thought out strategic plan and a significant amount of input from providers and community leaders

“Our patients are the number one stakeholders in every decision we make,” said Adam Goodyear, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoKansas who served on the LMH Health strategic clinic relationship (SCR) advisory committee “Patients will continue to see providers locally, and they can assist you by navigating highly-specialized care when and where it’s needed Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they receive care close to home ”

Sheryle D’Amico, LMH Health senior VP for strategic partnerships and chair of the SCR advisory committee, said this reinforces the intent of the relationship

“These patients and families are an example of what we will further accomplish through this relationship with The University of Kansas Health System These patients would have otherwise had to travel out of town for procedures that can now take place at LMH Health,” said D’Amico “We are confident in this collaboration because our physicians have led the work, with our patients in mind I know they will continue to offer the guidance patients need to make the best decisions for their health, just as they do now ”

Three collaborations are already planned or underway:

Kansas Sports Medicine brings together physicians, clinicians and trainers from LMH Health OrthoKansas and The University of Kansas Health System Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team to provide expanded care at the LMH Health West Campus .

Since October 2022, 92 vascular surgery cases have been done in either the cath lab or the operating room within the Lawrence General Surgery suite at the Main Campus, thanks to an agreement with a team from The University of Kansas Health System .

The University of Kansas Health System is providing maternal-fetal specialists to the LMH Health Women’s Center on the West Campus, enabling hundreds of expectant mothers to receive care close to home from the best clinicians available in the region .