Tower Health is teaming up with one of the country’s leading health systems.
Tower Health officials announced Monday that the health system has begun a new affiliation with Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health.
“We are pleased to begin an affiliation with Jefferson Health, built on our shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality care close to home and improving the health of the communities we serve,” Tower Health officials said in a written statement.
The statement stresses that the affiliation is not a merger or an acquisition.
“Tower Health’s leadership, governance and day-to-day operations remain unchanged,” it said.
Instead, Tower Health and Jefferson Health will explore opportunities to collaborate to strengthen clinical programs, increase access to advanced specialty care, invest in innovation and create new opportunities for research and education.
The news about the new affiliation was unveiled to Tower Health employees in a message issued Friday, a copy of which was obtained by the Reading Eagle.
That message acknowledges that health care organizations are currently facing unprecedented challenges including inadequate reimbursement, rising costs, workforce shortages and increasing competition.
“Every day, health systems are being asked to do more with less while continuing to provide the high-quality care our patients deserve,” the message read.
The message goes on to say that history has shown that success depends on finding allies when an organization is confronted by challenges on multiple fronts.
“After careful evaluation over the past year, our executive leadership team and board of directors believe Jefferson Health is that ally,” the message said.
The message stated that the move is about enhancing local health care, not replacing it.
“Simply put, this affiliation allows Tower Health to remain Tower Health while gaining the advantages of working alongside one of the nation’s leading health systems,” the message read.
The message concludes by stating that combining Tower Health’s trusted community presences with Jefferson’s nationally recognized clinical expertise, research capabilities, advanced technologies and extensive infrastructure allows Tower Health to expand access to special specialized care, to grow clinical programs, to accelerate innovation and to elevate the care provided to patients.
Tower Health operates Reading Hospital, Pottstown Hospital, Phoenixville Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
Jefferson Health operates over 30 hospitals and more than 700 care sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.