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Lake Hospital System Is Now Lake Health

Posted on: Friday, 12 June 2009, 07:00 CDT

New name and logo reflect system's progressive growth and commitment to health and wellness

PAINESVILLE, Ohio, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of redefining health care in Northeast Ohio, Lake Hospital System has redefined itself. Lake Hospital System today announced that it has adopted a new name -- Lake Health. The new name reflects the health system's 107-year heritage of progressive growth, and its evolution from a single hospital to a comprehensive health system that includes two state-of-the-art community hospitals; an outpatient medical campus and surgery center; four urgent care facilities; a rehabilitation and wellness center; chronic health care clinics; an integrative medicine program; a cancer center; and a physician network comprised of 57 doctors.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090612/CL31374LOGO )

More than a year was spent planning for the identity change, which marks an exciting new phase in the history of the health system.

Health care has changed dramatically since 1985 when Lake Hospital System transitioned from a county-owned entity to a private, not-for-profit organization. Back then, hospitals focused on one thing: healing the sick. Today, Lake Health doesn't interact with people only when they are sick.

"We're the community's health and wellness partner," said Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and chief executive officer of Lake Health. "On almost a daily basis we're out in the community providing health education, offering free screenings, and leading fitness and exercise programs," she said. "A name that emphasizes 'health' communicates what we do more clearly than one that focuses on 'hospital' or 'sickness'."

"The board members, administration, medical staff and I agreed the timing is perfect for the name change as we prepare to open TriPoint Medical Center on October 21," explained John F. Platz, chairman of the Lake Health Board of Trustees. "The transition from Lake Hospital System to Lake Health reflects our health care philosophy: patient- and family-centered care that promotes a lifetime of health and wellness."

"Our new name and logo clearly communicate what differentiates our health system. It's not about episodic care. It's about improving the long-term health of this community one patient and one family at a time," Moore-Hardy said.

According to Rick Cicero, senior vice president of business development for Lake Health, the health system remains an independent, not-for-profit charitable organization, and operations at the system's nine medical facilities are unaffected. However, he said the community will notice visible changes in the form of new signage at all Lake Health facilities.

"We see our rebranding initiative as more of a brand elevation. We're capitalizing on the strength and reputation of Lake Hospital System, while reflecting the organization's dynamic growth as a comprehensive health system," explained Cicero.

The new logo features a large field of dark blue--the same blue found in the health system's former logo--and an organic wave pattern, both designed to pay homage to Lake Erie and Lake County. A triad of wave shapes in yellow, light blue, and green represent Lake Health's commitment to caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit; and the connection between physicians, the health system and the community.

As part of the name change, LakeWest Hospital in Willoughby has been renamed LakeWest Medical Center. Similarly, LakeEast Hospital in Painesville will be known as LakeEast Medical Center (until it closes on October 21, 2009, when TriPoint Medical Center opens.)

The PrimeHealth physician network, an affiliate of the health system, has been renamed Lake Health Physician Group to emphasize the strong connection between the system and the physician group.

"Practicing in a community-based setting enables us to provide high quality, compassionate care that puts patients and their families first and invites them to be active participants in their own health and wellness," said John Ferron, MD, general surgeon and president of the Lake Health medical staff.

Putting the needs of patients and their families first is what has distinguished the health system since it was born 107 years ago through grass roots effort. In 1902 Lake County's first chartered hospital was formed when the New Connecticut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution initiated a drive to provide a hospital for the Painesville area. Just two years later, the Painesville Hospital Association opened its doors in the Stephen Matthews residence on Washington Street.

The early days of Painesville Hospital were characterized by financial difficulties and "growing pains" caused by the exploding population. In 1924, the Lake County commissioners took control of Painesville Hospital, and it officially became Lake County Memorial Hospital. The hospital operated as a county facility until it became a private entity in 1985 when Lake Hospital System assumed operations.

Lake Health is investing $155 million in TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township, which will employ state-of-the-art digital and wireless technology to offer patients not just the bestcare, but the safest care. Built to enhance healing, the new facility features an evidence-based design that seamlessly connects the hospital's interior to its natural surroundings. Integrative medicine therapies such as healing touch and music therapy will also be offered to address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families.

"From private patient rooms that overlook natural greenery and streams to the latest medical technology, TriPoint Medical Center will enable us to continue to provide the most progressive health care in a natural, healing environment for our patients and their families," explained Moore-Hardy.

Beyond TriPoint Medical Center, Lake Health has invested millions systemwide on new technology and facility improvements that support the hospital system's patient- and family-centered philosophy of care. A philosophy Moore-Hardy characterizes as a "quantum leap beyond customer service."

From its beginning in a leased mansion to the nine-facility health care provider of today, Lake Health dedicates all of its efforts to meeting the health care needs of Lake County and surrounding communities through a comprehensive network that includes more than 600 physicians, over 2,700 team members and over 1,000 volunteers.

"This is an exciting time for all of us as we continue to expand and grow to keep our promise to the community," Moore-Hardy said.

To learn more about Lake Health and TriPoint Medical Center, please visit www.lakehealth.org.

About Lake Health

For seven consecutive years NorthCoast 99 has named Lake Health one of the 99 Best Places to work in Northeast Ohio. Thomson also recently named Lake Health one of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. for cardiovascular care. Dedicated to redefining health care in Northeast Ohio, Lake Health provides patient- and family-centered care that promotes a lifetime of health and wellness. Lake Health delivers progressive, compassionate health care through nine state-of-the-art facilities staffed by more than 600 physicians and 2,700 health care professionals.

Contacts: Julie Strogin, Lake Health 440.354.1940 julie.strogin@lakehealth.org Kristin Wilson, Brokaw Inc. 330.701.3371 kwilson@brokaw.com

SOURCE Lake Health

Source: PR Newswire

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