Providence considers changes after merger
Providence Health & Services, which operates Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital, is considering changes in its accounting, billing and human resources departments.
Spokane-based Providence Services merged with Seattle-based Providence Health System in January.
The hospital has declined to elaborate on what changes may be made. Sacred Heart spokeswoman Maureen Goins said managers at the Spokane hospital initiated a six-month study after the merger was completed Jan. 1.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry, the hospital referred to its mission that “includes being good stewards of our resources and providing high quality, affordable health care that is accessible to all.”
The merger will allow the two newly merged Providence units to share resources and achieve what it called “even greater economies of scale” while maintaining active local community boards, management and decision-making.
The merged Providence system is sponsored by the Sisters of Providence and operates in five states: Washington, California, Oregon, Montana and Alaska.
Gingrich to speak at medical symposium
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich will be the keynote speaker at the 2006 Northwest Medical Information Symposium, to be held April 24 and April 25 in Spokane.
Gingrich, after leaving Congress in 1999, helped found the Center for Health Transformation, a nonprofit group focused on the development of effective and affordable health care strategies.
“The presence of former Speaker Gingrich at NMIS 2006 raises the bar on an event that has helped establish this region as a leader in patient-oriented technological innovations in health care,” said Inland Northwest Health Services CEO Tom Fritz in a press release.
Inland Northwest Health Services sponsors the symposium. For further information, go to www.inhs.info.
Presidents Day closes stock markets
The stock markets were closed Monday for the Presidents Day holiday, so there are no stock listings in today’s Business pages.
– Compiled from staff reports