Strategic Clinical Relationship announced between LMH Health and The University of Kansas Health System: FAQ

LMH Health is thrilled to announce a clinical collaboration with The University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS) to increase access to exceptional care, right here in our community.

Why does LMH Health want a strategic clinical relationship?

• To expand our organization’s scope of services and improve patient experiences. The strategic clinical relationship will improve care to our patients and community by expanding our depth and breadth of services and creating smoother and better transitions of care when patients need specialty care beyond what we currently offer.
• Additionally, a relationship can improve already exceptional LMH programs, like those in oncology, cardiology and orthopedics.

Does this mean LMH Health has been sold?

• Absolutely not - LMH Health is not for sale. TUKHS understands and supports this position.
• Mergers and acquisitions are now commonplace in healthcare—especially as some smaller hospitals are struggling. This isn’t the case for LMH, which remains clinically and financially strong.
• This is why LMH began exploring a unique arrangement to expand access to highly specialized care while maintaining independent ownership and governance.

Are LMH Health’s physicians and providers on board with this plan?

• Yes. LMH Health’s physicians have been guiding discussions about a potential relationship with another healthcare system for nearly 18 months.
• They helped us determine that developing a clinical relationship with UKHS specifically could benefit our patients.
• Finally, our physicians and providers know a relationship will not restrict patient choice, nor prevent them from referring patients to specialists outside of TUKHS as needed.

What changes will I see as a patient?

• Our goal is to continue the excellent care that we already deliver while expanding and enhancing specialty care that is available here in Lawrence. There will be little noticeable change for you as a patient—you will still continue to see your local providers.
• In the event you need specialty care, you may find additional services here in our community. Should you need to be referred for care, you can expect an easier, more streamlined process.

How will patients benefit from this collaboration?

• The collaboration will allow us to continue to invest in exceptional programs, ensuring the highest quality of care for you in orthopedics, cardiology, cancer care and more.
• Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they receive care close to home. You'll have increased access to specialists and subspecialists, right here in our community.
• We will work with TUKHS to ensure patients have more seamless experiences when seeking care at TUKHS.

Are there any services already underway?

• Yes! The first major initiative is a new collaboration specific to sports medicine called Kansas Sports Medicine. Kansas Sports Medicine brings together physicians, clinicians and trainers from LMH Health’s OrthoKansas practice and the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at TUKHS to provide expanded care at the LMH Health West Campus.
• LMH Health is also offering new vascular surgery services within the Lawrence General Surgery suite at the Main Campus thanks to an agreement with TUKHS.
• In a similar arrangement, TUKHS is 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.

What did LMH Health require as part of this collaboration?

• LMH Health will maintain its independent ownership and governance.
• LMH Health will be regarded by its clinical partner as a valued, significant counterpart and as the final authority for decisions in our market.
• A relationship cannot interfere with patients choosing where to seek highly specialized care, nor the medical staff’s ability to make clinical and referral choices in the best interests of our patients.
• A relationship will uphold LMH Health’s purpose – A Partner for Lifelong Health—as well as its strategic plan, values and culture.