Healthy Marriage Ahead

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare last week announced its plan to sign an affiliation agreement with Lake Forest Hospital to form an integrated system.

“The pairing of our academic medical center with such a respected community hospital will greatly benefit our patients at both campuses,” Northwestern chief executive Dean Harrison said. “The affiliation between Northwestern Memorial and Lake Forest Hospital will enable better access to care, clinical trials, new and expanded services, and the latest technologies for patients in Lake and Cook counties and the surrounding regions.”

Federal and state regulators must approve the deal, the price of which was not disclosed. Lake Forest is a 215-bed community hospital north of Chicago. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a respected hospital that, along with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Prentice Women’s Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, are part of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, which is rated in the double-A category. Lake Forest is rated in the single-A range.

The deal expands Northwestern’s reach without paying for construction of a new facility. Lake Forest will now have improved access to raising capital to finance improvements to its aging facility.

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