Longstreet Clinic and Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) have executed a letter of intent to pursue a more formal alignment structure. Since Longstreet Clinic was founded more than 30 years ago, the two organizations have a long history of strategic partnerships that include development of:
- Neonatal intensive care units at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville and NGMC Braselton
- Oncology services, including dedicated cancer treatment centers in Braselton and Toccoa
- A shared health information platform, called Epic, which includes a shared medical record system, online patient portal and more
- HP2 – a clinically integrated network that includes Longstreet Clinic, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Georgia Heart Institute and other independent practices across the region – to pursue performance-based contracts with insurance companies and improve outcomes while reducing costs for all.
“NGHS and Longstreet Clinic have a rich tradition of providing care across this region for generations. We share so much in common beyond geography and patients – a commitment to quality, focus on safety, a track record of innovation and more,” said Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “Aligning more closely together would further strengthen health care for the communities we both serve and unlock more opportunities for success.”
The letter of intent provides an outline of a potential alignment structure as well as a framework to perform due diligence over the next several months.
“As one of the largest independent medical groups owned and managed by physicians in the state of Georgia, we are keenly aware of the unique challenges independent groups face in the modern healthcare industry,” says Robert Richard, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon and president & chairman of Longstreet Clinic. “Exploring a deeper operational alignment with a strong regional partner will create opportunities for both organizations to improve care collaboration between providers, enhance quality of care and provide a more seamless patient experience.”
A target timeframe for a definitive agreement is spring 2025.
Published Jan. 6, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
