EDMONDS — Physicians urged members of the Stevens Hospital board Wednesday to act quickly on a potential new business partnership with Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center.
“It appears that a comprehensive agreement between the two organizations to form an alliance is very close to becoming reality,” said Dr. Marc Rosenshein, president of the medical staff.
He was one of about 20 doctors who came to the hospital board’s meeting Wednesday morning to show their support.
The hospital board should “move forward to complete this process promptly,” Rosenshein said. “Please do not let this opportunity pass us by.”
The medical staff is “squarely behind this alliance,” said Dr. Timothy Roddy, chief medical officer.
Dr. Michelle Sinnett warned that not taking action could lead to a downturn in morale and possible loss of hospital employees.
Talks between the two organizations, which could bring more medical services and financial resources to the Edmonds hospital, began in October.
Representatives from both organizations said a decision is expected in the next 60 to 90 days on whether to move ahead.
Cal Knight, president and chief operating officer for Swedish Medical Center, said Wednesday said he thought a business agreement between the two health care organizations could be good for Stevens, Swedish and the residents of the hospital district.
“We think Stevens and Swedish form a good system for health care delivery that could provide more care and more services than either organization could do separately,” he said.
“The deal is not done, but we’re enthusiastic about the potential,” Knight added.
The next step is for the Stevens Hospital board to give its approval for talks to go forward on specifics, such as exactly what services Swedish might be provide and details of how Stevens would be managed.
After hearing from physicians at Wednesday’s meeting, Kimberly Cole said she and other hospital board members “are not stalling; we’re not trying to put roadblocks in the way.
“We’re looking at the overall future of the hospital and what’s in the best interest” of doctors, nurses, other employees and patients, she said.
Longtime board member Fred Langer joked that he had never seen so many physicians in agreement on one issue. “It’s kind of exciting to me,” he said.
The next step by the board, called a letter of intent, would provide a road map for how the two organizations might work together, he said.
However, board member Bob Meador urged caution, saying that details still need to be worked out between the two organizations.
This would include aspects such as whether Stevens Hospital continues under its present name and what services the two organizations would work together to provide.
“What is Swedish’s vision for Snohomish County?” he asked. “Can we fit into that vision or is it contrary to a public hospital?”
Collaboration between the two organizations began in the 1990s. Swedish now has 13 employees working at Stevens’ cancer center and 25 employees at its heart center.
Stevens Hospital is a public or taxpayer-supported hospital that opened its doors in 1964.
The taxing district includes property owners in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Bothell and parts of unincorporated south Snohomish County.
Swedish Medical Center in Seattle is a private, not-for-profit hospital governed by a 16-member board. It has a long history in Seattle, dating back to 1910.
It now has three hospital campuses in Seattle, at First Hill, Cherry Hill and Ballard. It operates a free-standing emergency department and specialty medical services in Issaquah.
Swedish has about 6,200 employees; Stevens employs about 1,200 people.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.
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