Its In The WORKS__

Enter into Affiliation Agreement

“We are thrilled at this new opportunity to expand our services to this community

and work in collaboration with the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District.”

says Kerry Heinrich, CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Bear Valley Community Healthcare District Board of Directors have been in negotiations with Loma Linda University Medical Center directors for approximately a year and a half with intentions of enhancing the medical  services offered to local residents; while having the possibilities of high quality care in the Bear Valley community. The move forward could attract more medical professionals to the mountain community.  

In November 2015, the executives of both Health Centers reached a cooperative Affiliation Agreement to bring a combined effort of a higher quality of healthcare to the residents of the Valley.   

“Loma Linda University Health is focused on improving the health status of communities and individuals throughout the expansive four county region it serves,” said Kerry Heinrich, CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center and executive vice president, hospital services, Loma Linda University Health. “We are thrilled at this new opportunity to expand our services to this community and work in collaboration with the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District.”

Loma Linda University Medical Center will provide resources to district-run Bear Valley Community Hospital, to enhance its medical and hospital services to the Bear Valley community. Additionally, on-site specialty care in selected service areas will be developed where feasible, at Bear Valley Community Hospital and the Bear Valley Community Hospital Rural Health Clinic.

The joint affiliation also provides for a streamlined system for patient referrals for those in need of specialty care, not available at Bear Valley Community Hospital, such as oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neuro-surgical services.

Under development is a plan to conduct regularly scheduled specialty services and consultations via telemedicine using telecommunication and information technologies that will provide clinical health care from a distance. The partnership will explore the establishment of a program where Bear Valley Community Hospital will serve as a rural training site for Loma Linda University medical students and residents.

David Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of Bear Valley Community Hospital, said,

“The mission of the Bear Valley Healthcare District is to deliver the highest quality healthcare to the residents of and visitors to Bear Valley through the most effective use of available resources. The affiliation with Loma Linda University Health is an exciting opportunity for us and for the community we serve.”

“This affiliation with Bear Valley Community Healthcare District and Bear Valley Community Hospital, is another step in fulfilling a strategic plan for establishing a clinical integration network that increases our ability to provide quality healthcare to local communities while also offering easy access to tertiary, quaternary and advanced specialty care for the vast four-county area that falls within our area of responsibility,” stated Loma Linda University Health president, Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH. “We intend to integrate our commitment ‘to make man whole’ with mission and devotion to the community.”