JAMESTOWN, NY, Dec. 2, 2016 – WCA Hospital and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) are pleased to announce that WCA has integrated into the UPMC network to become UPMC Chautauqua WCA to deliver world-class health care for the residents of Jamestown and its surrounding communities. The integration became official on December 1. UPMC Chautauqua WCA is the first New York State hospital and the first hospital outside of Pennsylvania to integrate with world-renowned UPMC, based in Pittsburgh.

 

UPMC is one of the country’s largest provider-led integrated health care delivery and finance systems and as a leading academic medical center is consistently ranked in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals.

 

“We are now positioned to become stronger than ever,” said Betsy T. Wright, FACHE, president/CEO, UPMC Chautauqua WCA, and vice president UPMC Hamot. “Today, we begin our formal integration and shared vision to strengthen UPMC Chautauqua WCA as the region’s premier provider of health care well into the future. This exciting new integration with UPMC and UPMC Hamot is the culmination of a five-year process of assessing the future of health care for Jamestown and to meet the challenges of today’s evolving health care industry. Our 131-year tradition of service and excellence will continue as we deliver care to this community and provide even greater opportunity moving forward to offer additional specialty services and programs. World-class care is now within our residents reach.”

 

“We are pleased to welcome WCA into the UPMC network because WCA leaders have long shared our vision and commitment to extend UPMC’s advanced clinical excellence to residents of this region and compassionately deliver that care close to home.” said Leslie C. Davis, senior vice president UPMC, and executive vice president and chief operating officer, Health Services Division, UPMC. “Through our strong hospital and provider network, UPMC has a winning track record of successful affiliations with outstanding hospitals like WCA that remain firmly dedicated to serving their communities.”

 

UPMC Chautauqua WCA will continue to operate as an acute-care community hospital providing high-quality inpatient, outpatient and emergency department services to the Chautauqua County region. As part of the signed agreement, UPMC will invest at least $25 million over the next 10 years to support WCA’s mission. UPMC also has agreed to relieve WCA’s debt and cover its pension obligations, freeing up significant additional monies for WCA development.

 

“This is a big win for our community,” said Steve Kilburn, chair of the WCA Hospital Board of Directors and newly appointed board member, UPMC Chautauqua WCA. “At a time when hospitals across New York State are challenged with unprecedented pressures, our local hospital has joined a world-class health care system. As a result of this integration, we believe that our hospital will be stronger and that services will grow in the years to come. We owe a debt of gratitude to Betsy Wright and to our committed hospital leaders and board members for their foresight and hard work in helping us achieve this remarkable accomplishment for our region. I believe that a strong, sustainable future for health care in our community begins today, and I look forward to our patients, employees and fellow community members experiencing the advantages that this integration brings.”

 

The integration will:

 

• Preserve and grow services, programs and access to local health care

• Create efficiencies in resource utilization

• Promote and enhance high quality of care for southern Chautauqua County

• Sustain UPMC Chautauqua WCA as a strong, financially viable hospital

 

Since signing a strategic affiliation agreement in 2012, WCA and UPMC Hamot have already experienced a long-standing and mutually beneficial collaboration.

 

“This partnership has flourished, resulting in our exciting announcement today,” said Jim Fiorenzo, president of UPMC Hamot. “I am proud to have led UPMC Hamot in its work with the amazing teams at WCA. We are eager to further share our strengths and resources to advance patient care, assist in retaining and recruiting outstanding physicians, and upgrade facilities and infrastructure, including rapidly advancing information technology.”

 

The combined governance of UPMC Chautauqua WCA, UPMC and UPMC Hamot will result in a regionally coordinated approach to maximize efficiencies and align resources to deliver a comprehensive complement of specialized health care services locally.

 

“I am so proud of the dedication of our engaged medical staff and loyal employees and volunteers who provide exceptional health care to those we are so privileged to serve,” Ms. Wright said. “On this commemorative day, we celebrate the preservation and growth of a vital community asset and our premier local health care delivery system, now with a new name, UPMC Chautauqua WCA.”