United Hospital System to expand affiliation with Froedtert Health
MILWAUKEE — United Hospital System, with hospital campuses in Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, and Froedtert Health have completed a previously announced agreement to expand their relationship. Terms were not disclosed.
Effective Oct. 1, United Hospital System (United) changed its legal name to Froedtert South and will provide health care services under the brand name of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. The expanded affiliation calls for Froedtert South to adopt Froedtert & MCW care quality protocols and best practices. The two organizations also will share an electronic health record system, effective next fall.
As Froedtert South, the former United will continue to operate as a locally led organization, retain its current health system departments and administrative services, medical group leadership and credentialing.
“This expansion is a natural progression of the longtime relationship between our two health care organizations,” said Cathy Jacobson, president and chief executive officer of Froedtert Health. “We are looking forward to working more closely and deepening our affiliation to enhance care quality, coordination and better serve patients.”
“Our stronger partnership comes at a time of significant change in the overall health care environment,” said Ric Schmidt, president, chief executive officer and general counsel of Froedtert South. “This step aligns us with a respected academic medical center partner and supports our goal to provide the best possible health care to our community.”
A phased approach to rebranding will begin this month, with exterior hospital and clinic signs changing to the Froedtert & MCW brand, including at the Kenosha Medical Center and St. Catherine’s Medical Center campuses.
Teams from both organizations already have been meeting to discuss next steps, including plans for implementing the Epic electronic health record system as well as exploring the community’s needs for additional or enhanced medical services. The Epic installation is expected to be completed by October 2018.
