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Riddle Health System to Join Main Line Health

Posted on: Tuesday, 28 November 2006, 15:01 CST

BRYN MAWR, Pa., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Riddle Health System (RHS) and the Board of Governors of Main Line Health (MLH) announced today that the Riddle Health System will become a member of the Main Line Health System. Riddle Health System includes Riddle Memorial Hospital and its affiliated entities, one of which is Mirmont Treatment Center.

Both Riddle and Main Line Health boards approved the affiliation in mid-November, with the effective date expected to be January 1, 2007. The affiliation must be reviewed and approved by the Delaware County Orphans' Court.

"This is a good day for Riddle, for our patients, and for the entire Delaware County region," said Daniel Kennedy, President and CEO of the Riddle Health System. "We're excited to be joining forces with one of the most successful and prestigious health systems in Pennsylvania."

In joining Main Line Health, Riddle will also become part of the Jefferson Health System of which Main Line Health is a member. Jefferson Health System also includes Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Frankford Health System and Magee Rehab.

Jack Lynch, President and CEO of Main Line Health, said, "Main Line Health is proud to welcome Riddle to our system. We know it's a good match because both organizations are committed to serving our communities with the best and most effective medical care possible." The formal affiliation is a culmination of a long-standing relationship between Riddle and MLH, which have many physicians in common on their staffs, and a history of collaborating to deliver specialized care.

Riddle is one of the few remaining stand-alone hospitals in the Delaware Valley. It was originally founded to provide high-quality care to the Media community. This affiliation with MLH is the next step in the hospital's evolution. Riddle is now poised to become a premier destination hospital for the region.

Affiliating with MLH will give Riddle access to greater resources and specialties necessary to keep up with changes in medical technology. It will also help ensure that Riddle will continue to attract top-tier physicians and healthcare professionals to its staff.

"This move is evidence of our Board's progressive outlook and eagerness to adapt to the realities of today's healthcare environment," says Kennedy. "We are convinced that this is the best way to secure our future and serve our community's growing healthcare needs in the decades ahead."

Riddle Memorial Hospital will be the fourth acute care hospital in Main Line Health, joining Lankenau, Bryn Mawr, and Paoli Hospitals. MLH also includes Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Main Line HealthCare, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, the Home Care Network, and other healthcare entities.

"Adding Riddle is a natural extension of the Main Line Health service area," Mr. Lynch said. MLH's facilities extend now to the edge of the Riddle service area, with one center in Broomall and another under construction in Newtown Square. MLH recently announced plans to build a new healthcare facility in Concord Township. Riddle and MLH will work collaboratively to develop a healthcare facility in that area.

When asked about the timing of the deal, Kennedy acknowledged that Riddle has been considering joining a larger system for a number of years, and has discussed affiliation with a number of regional healthcare organizations. "We actively pursued discussions with Main Line Health," says Kennedy, "not only because of their outstanding reputation, but because the two organizations are such a good fit. We have a similar culture and values. And besides, we're neighbors."

Riddle Memorial Hospital is named in honor of Samuel D. Riddle, a Delaware County native famous as a breeder of champion race horses, including the renowned Man O' War and War Admiral. The hospital is situated on land that was once a pasture for his famous thoroughbreds. Mr. Riddle loved his community of Media, and bequeathed much of his estate to the building of this hospital.

Riddle Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1963 and today has 235 beds. The entire Riddle Health System has over 1800 employees, and more than 500 physicians. Riddle provides a full array of healthcare services, including emergency services, surgery, medicine, vascular services, cardiac care, orthopedic and rehabilitation services, cancer care and obstetrics. Riddle also provides home health services, skilled nursing and behavioral health.

Main Line Health is a non-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. Founded in 1985, MLH includes Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, and Paoli Hospital; Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital; the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research; Main Line Clinical Laboratories; Main Line HealthCare (a physician network); the Wayne Center, a skilled nursing facility; and Mid County Senior Services. The mission of Main Line Health is to provide a comprehensive range of health services, complemented by appropriate educational and research activities, that meets community needs and improves the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Main Line Health is part of Jefferson Health System (JHS), founded in 1996, whose members also include Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Frankford Health System, and Magee Rehab.

Main Line Health

CONTACT: For Main Line Health: Richard Wells, +1-610-526-8310 - office,+1-610-842-9025 - cell, wellsr@mlhs.org; For Riddle Memorial Hospital: JackieForney, +1-610-891-3142 - office, +1-610-745-5423 - cell,jforney@riddlehospital.org

Source: PRNewswire

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