Virtua & Penn Medicine Announce a Strategic Alliance in South Jersey

VOORHEES, N.J., Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Virtua and Penn Medicine have announced a strategic alliance for the purpose of creating easier access to care by growing programs in South Jersey supported by both organizations, and by facilitating access to advanced care provided by Penn. The alliance includes programs for cancer and neuroscience.

"When selecting a partner," said Rich Miller, President and CEO of Virtua, "we wanted one that is local, committed to our region, and known and preferred by our patients."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to work with our colleagues at Virtua to provide the greatest number of options for South Jersey patients with cancer and neurological conditions," said Ralph W. Muller, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. "We understand that patients want to be close to their homes and families when they're dealing with serious illnesses, and we will be able to provide them with new options to fit together the best plan of care through facilities in both of our health systems."

A world-renowned leader in cancer treatment, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania recently received an "exceptional" rating from the National Cancer Institute.  The Abramson Cancer Center has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1973, and is one of only 45 institutions in the nation to hold this prestigious designation.

Virtua has a well-regarded and high quality cancer program that has been treating patients in the region for over 20 years. It has received the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award four consecutive times. Only one in ten programs nationwide has been designated with this honor.

These strengths are of significant importance to the families in South Jersey dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. In 2014 alone, almost 4,000 people were diagnosed with cancer at Virtua. And in the next ten years, as Baby Boomers age, the number of patients who depend on Virtua for cancer care is expected to rise significantly.

"This alliance now provides patients with easy access to complex care at Penn Medicine for services like bone marrow transplants, advanced hematology and the latest surgical options, and second opinion services," said Miller.

"This collaboration," Miller explained, "will support and strengthen Virtua's delivery of cancer care which includes programs focused on prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For cancer survivors and their families, we provide services that help them reclaim their lives after cancer treatment."

The neuroscience collaboration will include treatment of diagnoses such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, brain injury and dementia. Penn doctors will perform surgery at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Burlington County, so patients no longer have to leave the area to obtain specialized surgical procedures.

The alliance will also help reduce duplication of resources, increase efficiencies and decrease health care costs. It will foster collaboration among the medical professionals of both organizations, ensure delivery of care in the appropriate setting, eliminate gaps in care and improve access to services.

Below please find two video links from today's Virtua Penn Medicine event.  One is an Electronic Press Kit for editing as you choose and the other is edited video.

If you would like to download either or both please send your email.

Thanks

Press Conference, edited version

http://bcove.me/s8zosf0j

About Virtua

As one of New Jersey's largest health systems, Virtua helps people be well, get well and stay well through a comprehensive range of health care services. Services are delivered through three health and wellness centers, two ambulatory care centers, three fitness centers, three acute care hospitals, primary and specialty physician practices with 287 physicians plus 87 additional practitioners, urgent care centers, 11 ambulatory surgery centers, home health services, two long-term care and rehabilitation centers, 12 paramedic units and a wide range of outpatient services. A leader in maternal and child health services, Virtua delivers more than 8,000 babies a year. Virtua also provides employment and wellness services to 1,700 businesses and corporations. An innovator in clinical and information technology such as electronic medical records, Virtua is recognized for its ground-breaking partnerships with GE Healthcare and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Virtua employs more than 8,700 people and has been honored as the #1 Best Place to Work in the Delaware Valley every year since 2007. It is the recipient of the Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation. For more information, visit  www.virtua.org or www.virtuabroadcastnetwork.org.

About Penn Medicine

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.9 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 17 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $409 million awarded in the 2014 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2014, Penn Medicine provided $771 million to benefit our community.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151013/276546

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SOURCE Virtua Health