Loma Linda University Health and the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District have entered into an affiliation agreement in order to enhance community access to high quality care in the Bear Valley. An event announcing the affiliation was held at Bear Valley Community Hospital on Feb. 10, 2016.
“Loma Linda University Health is focused on improving the health status of communities and individuals throughout the expansive four county region it serves,” said Kerry Heinrich, CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center and executive vice president, hospital services, Loma Linda University Health. “We are delighted for this new opportunity to expand our services in this community and work in collaboration with the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District.”
Under this affiliation agreement, Loma Linda University Health will provide resources to district-run Bear Valley Community Hospital, enhancing medical and hospital services to the Bear Valley community. Additionally, on-site specialty care in selected service areas will be developed, where feasible, at Bear Valley Community Hospital and the Bear Valley Community Hospital Rural Health Clinic.
The affiliation will provide a streamlined system for patient referrals for those in need of specialty care not available at Bear Valley Community Hospital, such as oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurosurgical services.
A plan is also being developed to conduct regularly scheduled specialty services and consultations via telemedicine using telecommunication and information technologies which will provide clinical health care from a distance. The partnership is also investigating the establishment of a program where Bear Valley Community Hospital will serve as a rural training site for Loma Linda University medical students and residents.
David Faulkner, chief executive officer of Bear Valley Community Hospital, said, “The mission of the Bear Valley Healthcare District is to deliver the highest quality health care to the residents of and visitors to Bear Valley through the most effective use of available resources. The affiliation with Loma Linda University Health is an exciting opportunity for us and for the community we serve.”
The two parties met at Bear Valley Community Hospital on Feb. 10 to kick off the affiliation.
“This affiliation with Bear Valley Community Healthcare District and Bear Valley Community Hospital is another step in fulfilling our strategic plan for establishing a clinical integration network that increases our ability to provide quality healthcare to local communities while also offering easy access to tertiary, quaternary and advanced specialty care for the vast four-county area that falls within our area of responsibility,” stated Loma Linda University Health president, Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH. “We intend to integrate our commitment ‘to make man whole’ with mission and devotion to the community."