Samaritan Health Services and Santiam Hospital & Clinics announced their plan to pursue formal affiliation. The organizations signed a nonbinding letter of intent (LOI) allowing the parties to further evaluate the affiliation with the anticipated outcome of Santiam Hospital & Clinics becoming part of Samaritan Health Services.
“We are excited about working more closely with the team at Santiam Hospital & Clinics as we move into this next phase of our collaboration,” said Doug Boysen, president and chief executive officer of Samaritan Health Services.
As nonprofit, community-based health systems with similar missions, visions, values and cultures, both organizations share a commitment to keeping services local. Joining together through affiliation would strengthen both organizations through increased access to services, improving health equity and enhancing services provided to communities throughout the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon coast regions.
“We are focused on serving our respective communities and learning from each other,” said Maggie Hudson, president and chief executive officer of Santiam Hospital & Clinics. “Our shared strengths position us well for continued vitality so we both remain long-lasting institutions.”
The organizations are committed to maintaining local governance and leadership and retaining existing staff and clinicians.
“The healthcare industry is evolving, and we believe that this affiliation will ensure that Samaritan Health Services and Santiam Hospital & Clinics both remain sustainable, strong institutions, providing access to quality health care,” Boysen said.
Samaritan Health Services and Santiam Hospital & Clinics will work toward coming to terms on a definitive agreement in the coming months. The affiliation may be subject to regulatory review.