Integration of Parma Community General Hospital and EMH Healthcare into UH system receives approval

Dec 28 2013

University Hospitals (UH) has received final approval from state and federal government regulators this week for the integration of Parma Community General Hospital and EMH Healthcare into the UH health system.

Each hospital conducted a thorough and rigorous process to evaluate the benefits of joining the UH system to better serve their respective communities and arrived at unanimous decisions for integration.

The organizations announced separately last summer that they were exploring partnerships with UH and anticipated closure by end of 2013. 

"Their approval, after a close examination of our strengths, affirms our shared conviction that our patients, and all of Northeast Ohio, will be better served through this unification, and by our vision for providing the highest-quality care in the most patient-focused, coordinated and cost-efficient ways," said Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO of University Hospitals. "Together, we have new and exciting opportunities to provide better health care. Our plans to invest in Parma Community General Hospital and EMH Healthcare will allow both organizations to continue to provide superior care to their communities and we are eager to reward their trust as we advance our mission: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover."

As part of the integration into the UH system, the two hospitals will undergo name changes to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center (UH Elyria) and University Hospitals Parma Medical Center (UH Parma).

UH will work closely with their boards of directors, the physician community, leadership, employees and volunteers to bring investments and cost efficiencies that will benefit the communities that we serve including upgrades to facilities, equipment, services and technologies at both entities.

UH, with its nationally recognized academic medical center – UH Case Medical Center – will also provide strong clinical research, leading-edge technology, innovative practices and initiatives that will complement and grow the two hospitals' highly regarded medical programs. Additional commitments will bring programs from internationally recognized centers of excellence such as UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and UH Seidman Cancer Center to UH Elyria making it their flagship hospital based in Lorain County and continued expansion of their presence at UH Parma.

"Meeting our community's health care needs has been an unwavering commitment of University Hospitals since our founding in 1866," said Mr. Zenty. "Joining with these hospitals will provide western Cuyahoga and Lorain counties the best opportunity to strengthen and improve the health of their communities for years to come. We look forward to connecting with their medical staffs in supporting the communities' focus on prevention and wellness, and to provide the highest quality medical care for patients."

UH Parma employs 2,000 Northeast Ohio residents and has more than 500 physicians on its medical staff in more than 30 specialties and a comprehensive campus of services. Its care extends far beyond its six founding cities of Parma, Parma Heights, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Seven Hills and North Royalton. UH Parma, founded in 1961, has 332-beds. 

UH Elyria employs 2,100 Northwest Ohio residents and has campuses in Elyria, Amherst, Avon, Sheffield and North Ridgeville. Founded in 1908, EMH today is a 387-licensed bed hospital system

UH now employs 25,000 Ohio residents and its health system includes 14 hospitals, including our relationship with Southwest General and St. John Medical Center, and 25 outpatient health centers located throughout the region. All three organizations have won numerous recognitions for quality in patient care, safety and innovative practice.