Capella Health

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JV links four Tennessee hospitals to Saint Thomas Health
Landmark Partnership with Faith-Based Leader opens new doors in Upper Cumberland

A cross and star. One symbolizing a ministry and mission to serving all people with spiritually-centered, reverent care.

The other a guidepost, pointing the way to true north and a transformation of care through collaboration.

Together – a symbol of the exciting hope of a bright new day in healthcare for Middle Tennessee.

The vision for Capella Healthcare’s new partnership with Saint Thomas Health is reflected in the new logo mark that’s been adopted by each of the hospitals in the new system.

Capella and Saint Thomas Health finalized this landmark joint venture in 2012 and it’s already helping to improve healthcare throughout Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health is affiliated with Ascension Health Ministry, the largest Catholic system and the largest non-profit in the United States. The partnership resulted in the joint ownership and operation of Capella’s four Middle Tennessee hospitals:  River Park Hospital in McMinnville, DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville, Stones River Hospital in Woodbury, and Highlands Medical Center in Sparta. These facilities now operate as part of the Saint Thomas Health Network, which holds an equity interest.

“This is a landmark partnership for us and the communities we serve,” said Mike Schatzlein, MD, Saint Thomas Health president and CEO. “We appreciate that we have identified a partner in Capella that recognizes the need for some types of change, but shares our commitment to values that are unchanging.  Our partnership with Capella Healthcare and their Middle Tennessee hospitals will expand services in the communities we both serve. We look forward to working collaboratively to enhance support for the expansion of cardiac, neurosciences and other specialty services, as well as on strategies for the use of innovative technology and clinical integration.”

Partnering with Saint Thomas Health, which is nationally recognized for its quality of care and innovative strategy, positions these four Middle Tennessee hospitals to build on the success they’ve experienced since affiliating with Capella.

Hospitals Must Be Aligned with Physicians To Thrive in Coming Era

Dr. Alan Drake, a long-time family practitioner in Sparta, TN, summed up the medical staff’s feelings about the Saint Thomas partnership as well as the Capella relationship in this short speech, recorded during the Saint Thomas partnership announcement.  Here’s the link:  Dr. Alan Drake speaks at Highlands Medical Center celebration  “In the 26 years I’ve been practicing in my community, the ownership of the hospital has changed four times…  I have probably been through 13 or 14 administrators.  So when Capella took over ownership of our hospital it was during an era of mistrust, and us wondering what was going to happen next.  Capella – to their credit – was able to come in and work with us – through the CEO they brought in, but through national commitments as well – to develop a facility the community could get good care from, feel proud of and safe coming to.  …Once that trust was established, we were able to work together; it became much more collaborative… (The physicians) felt like we had a voice in what was going on and that communication had greatly improved.  We had some influence into what was taking place.”

Benefits of the affiliation

The Advantages of Teamwork: A newly coordinated health system that takes full advantage of the many strengths of this family of hospitals. With the challenges all healthcare providers and communities are facing, working together is how we will continue to improve quality and service while creating greater efficiencies that benefit all those we serve. Additionally, these four hospitals are the only other hospitals (in addition to the five fully owned by Saint Thomas Health) that are part of the Tier 1 facilities in Mission Point Health Partners, a nationally recognized ACO now serving five states and growing. Fully committed to the vision and values of Ascension Health, Mission Point focuses on a whole-person approach, making them unique among ACOs. In just their second year of operation, they’ve already become a national leader in providing value-based care to multiple populations, including commercially insured, self-insured, Medicare and Medicaid.

Exceptional Quality and Service: A new commitment to the best practices, in order to ensure a new standard of healthcare excellence. Saint Thomas West, the flagship hospital of Saint Thomas Health, has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters 11 times and has long been the preferred tertiary referral center for residents of the Upper Cumberland. Helping to lead the way in the new JV is Bill Thompson, MD, Chief Quality Officer for Saint Thomas Health, who now plays a key role at these hospitals and is on the Board of Trustees.  

Enhanced Cardiovascular Care:  New investments in expanded cardiac service lines at all four hospitals. While River Park Hospital already has a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, development of similar recognized centers at the other three hospitals is a priority as well as dedicated cardiologist coverage.  Click here to read more about the newest cardiology offices and expanded outpatient testing at River Park:  RPH celebrates new heart office.   Additionally, all four hospitals have now become part of the Saint Thomas Stroke Network bringing expanded care to their communities.

A Million Dollar Renovation: Capella Healthcare is investing a million dollars to renovate and expand Highlands Medical Center. The project includes interior and exterior improvements as well as a new entrance. Patient rooms, waiting rooms and registration areas will be completely remodeled, with new furniture, lighting and wall coverings. The renovation project enables the staff to better serve its growing patient base as well as better reflect the broadening population it is serving and anticipated growth in services.  Click here to read more about the expansion and name change at Highlands Medical Center:  Hospital Celebrates Partnership.

It’s a partnership that makes sense:  for patients, providers and the community.

DeKalb Community Hospital has been nationally recognized for quality and service in the past year, including being named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission and being recognized by HealthStream for most improved ED patient \patient satisfaction.