84H - Healing Together: How Partnerships Can Help Health Systems Meet More Audacious Goals, Serve Their Communities Better and Facilitate Growth

Wednesday, March 22

10:45–11:45 a.m.

Reviewing the uptick in healthcare organizations partnering with each other recently, the National Institutes of Health delivered a grim assessment: “The majority of these ventures,” read the NIH’s report, “fail to significantly improve the overall performance of the organizations involved.” Because so many health systems still take the partnership route, it’s crucial to understand why such joint ventures fumble, and what makes them succeed.

Three years ago, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Bon Secours Mercy Health launched State Alliance, a strategic initiative to improve the health of communities served. The chief goals were fundamental: Increase access to excellent care in Ohio and beyond, team up to fight the raging opioid epidemic, and collaborate on research and education essential to improving the well-being of its citizens. Three years and one global pandemic later, the organization is proud to report that the collaboration is an exception to the NIH’s somber rule, a success that’s delivered help to more than 200,000 patients struggling with opioid addiction, offered continuing medical education to thousands of professionals, and opened several clinics increasing access to patients requiring anything from transplants to cancer care. In this dynamic and evocative talk, Jennifer Dauer and Jeff Copeland will share lessons learned, speak candidly on what didn’t work and share insights into what did, from creating an environment conducive to honest conversation to ensuring alignment on a shared vision and measurable outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Receive a detailed and unvarnished breakdown of a successful partnership’s building blocks.
• Understand pitfalls to avoid when creating a joint venture between healthcare institutions and guardrails to set in place from the get-go to maximize chances of success.