UNC REX and Johnston Health Finalize Agreement to Expand Partnership
Joint Operating Agreement will improve care and access for Johnston and Wake county patients
RALEIGH AND SMITHFIELD, N.C. – UNC REX Healthcare and Johnston Health have agreed to expand their partnership and work more closely together to enhance care, improve outcomes and increase access for patients in Johnston and Wake counties. The two organizations will combine operations via a Joint Operating Agreement that will take effect Jan. 1, 2021.
“Strengthening our collaboration will lead to many benefits for our patients and our hospitals,” said Ernie Bovio, president of UNC REX. “We can grow better together, and add new services and new facilities that will help serve our fast-growing communities.”
As one of the first steps of the new agreement, the two organizations will review and assess the community’s health needs to determine what their priorities should be in coming years. UNC REX has committed $125 million over the next 5 years to expand services and facilities in Johnston County.
“This is the evolution of a partnership that will benefit both organizations, our co-workers and our communities,” said Tom Williams, president of Johnston Health. “Through the years, we’ve worked together in areas such as radiation oncology, heart and vascular, gastroenterology and general surgery, as well as physician coverage that includes hospitalists and specialists such as neonatologists. We’ve collaborated on best practices and, most recently, prepared together for COVID-19.”
In early 2014, Johnston Health formed a joint venture with UNC Health, a partnership that has improved the health and wellness of residents of Johnston County and surrounding areas. That included opening a 50-bed community hospital on Johnston Health’s Clayton campus in 2015, and recruiting new physicians and other providers.
The new agreement will expand that relationship to create new opportunities for adding specialized medical care and services closer to home for Johnston and Wake county patients.
