LMH Health and The University of Kansas Health System ink new strategic clinical relationship

Today, the LMH Health Board of Trustees voted to approve a strategic clinical relationship with The University of Kansas Health System, paving the way for clinical partnerships that increase patient access to specialty care in and around Douglas County. The agreement serves as a framework for the two separate institutions to explore collaborative endeavors, while ensuring LMH Health retains its independence.

Since 2019, a collaborative team of LMH Health physicians and administrators have worked with the Board of Trustees to explore how a strategic clinical relationship might strengthen local services, bring new specialists to the community and improve the coordination of specialized patient care. All of these goals are designed to support the LMH Health medical staff and their work to continue providing outstanding care within an independent healthcare model.

“This is an important strategic decision for LMH Health, as we’re implementing a very unique model compared to what we’re seeing across the country,” said Russ Johnson, LMH Health president and CEO. “Our colleagues at The University of Kansas Health System have been very committed to the mutual dialogue that has created our strategic clinical relationship, and we firmly believe this will result in a collaboration that provides patients with even better access to exceptional care close to home.”

Johnson said that it is important to remember that LMH Health has not been sold, and it is not for sale. This arrangement ensures that LMH can remain a non-profit, independent community hospital for years to come. LMH Health is operating from a position of strength, leveraging a well-thought out strategic plan and a significant amount of input from providers and community leaders.

“I am grateful for the leadership they have provided throughout this process,” said Johnson. “Our community—and our community hospital—is better for it.”

Bob Page, president and CEO of The University of Kansas Health System, is excited to increase collaboration with LMH Health.

“As the only academic health system in the state, we are committed to ensuring patients across the state and region have access to high quality care, close to home when possible,” he said. “The University of Kansas Health System is a leader in diagnosing and treating the most complex healthcare needs and home to breakthroughs in life-changing treatments. This is a remarkable development for both health systems and for the patients we serve.”

Three collaborations are already planned or underway:

• A new partnership specific to sports medicine called Kansas Sports Medicine, which brings together physicians, clinicians and trainers from LMH Health OrthoKansas and The University of Kansas Health System Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team to provide expanded care at the LMH Health West Campus.
• Vascular surgery services are currently being offered within the Lawrence General Surgery suite at the Main Campus thanks to an agreement with a team from The University of Kansas Health System. Since the first week of October, the vascular team has done 92 surgical cases in either the cath lab or operating room.
• The University of Kansas Health System is also providing maternal-fetal specialists to the LMH Health Women’s Center on the West Campus. This has enabled hundreds of expectant mothers to receive care in their own community from the best clinicians available in the region.

“Our patients are the number one stakeholders in every decision we make,” said Adam Goodyear, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoKansas who served on the LMH Health strategic clinic relationship (SCR) advisory committee. “Patients will continue to see providers locally, and they can assist you by navigating highly-specialized care when and where it’s needed. Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they receive care close to home.”

Sheryle D’Amico, LMH Health senior VP for strategic partnerships and chair of the SCR advisory committee, said this reinforces the intent of the relationship. “These patients and families are an example of what we will further accomplish through this relationship with The University of Kansas Health System. These patients would have otherwise had to travel out of town for procedures that can now take place at LMH,” said D’Amico. “We are confident in this collaboration because our physicians have led the work, with our patients in mind. I know they will continue to offer the guidance patients need to make the best decisions for their health, just as they do now.”

Michael Zabel, MD, chair of Lawrence Physicians, LLC, a structure for physician and provider governance at LMH Health, echoed the importance of physician engagement in the SCR.

“Extensive feedback from our providers has helped determine that developing a clinical relationship with The University of Kansas Health System specifically can help us improve highly-specialized patient care and create an exceptionally positive experience,” said Zabel, who is also a cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. “We appreciate this collaborative approach because it’s better for you as the patient.”

The LMH Health Board of Trustees also recognized that physician leadership before and during negotiations with The University of Kansas Health System helped create a truly unique opportunity for LMH, said Tom Sloan, chair of the LMH Health Board of Trustees.

“Our physician leaders have worked hard to build a relationship that will ensure our community members will continue to receive the highest quality care right here at home,” said Sloan. “The Board has been involved from the beginning and is pleased with the formal agreement which will ensure that LMH remains an independent, community hospital with enhanced patient care, while continuing to meet Elizabeth Watkins’ commitment to providing care to all.”