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Lake Forest Hospital Proposes a New Health Care System in Lake County

Posted on: Monday, 14 January 2008, 18:00 CST

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lake Forest Hospital Foundation board of directors presented a merger proposal today to Condell Health Network to create a new health care system for northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region. The new system would be governed by a combination of both hospital boards and would bring together the clinical strength and reputations of the two highest consumer ranked hospitals in Lake County.*

As part of the proposal, the Lake Forest Hospital Foundation board also presented a significant line of credit to Condell Medical Center to support the financial needs of the hospital.

Lake Forest Hospital Foundation Chairman Forrest R. Whittaker said, "Rather than building multiple hospitals throughout the region with inpatient beds, we would be creating a more efficient system that brings tertiary care services that are unavailable in the county, the lack of which causes residents to seek care outside the county. Currently, the county has no Level I trauma center or Level III neonatal intensive care unit."

"We would be combining the quality reputation of Lake Forest's health care and personalized services with the breadth and depth of Condell's health network. This is the best solution to bring quality health care to the residents of the region," he added.

A combination of Lake Forest Hospital and Condell Health Network would bring together two locally-governed community hospitals which have served the region for over a century. Their combined resources would create a regional network with 488 inpatient beds, 1,200 physicians, 3,000 employees, two Level II trauma centers, two Level II+ special care nurseries, five acute care centers, robotic surgery, and the largest open heart program in Lake County.

Lake Forest Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. McAfee added, "The clinical and financial strength of Lake Forest Hospital combined with the expansive clinical network of Condell Medical Center would create a local system of the highest quality and reputation. This is the true meaning of access to health care."

Lake Forest Hospital is a fully licensed and accredited 215-bed community hospital offering a complete range of services staffed by 625 physicians, with offices conveniently located throughout Lake County. For information about the hospital, call 847.234.5600; for a physician referral call 847.535.6171. For more information, visit the hospital's website: http://www.lfh.org/

*Lake Forest Hospital and Condell Medical Center were both named #1 Consumer Choice hospitals in Lake and Kenosha counties in 2007 by National Research Corporation (NRC). Lake Forest Hospital has earned the award for three years in a row by NRC.

The Lake Forest Hospital Foundation

CONTACT: Jane Griffin of The Lake Forest Hospital Foundation,+1-847-535-6107, jgriffin@lfh.org; or Michael Myers, +1-847-208-6920,michael@mgroupcommunications.com, for The Lake Forest Hospital Foundation

Web site: http://www.lfh.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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