UnityPoint, New Mexico health care group exploring merger
New Mexico-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services and UnityPoint Health have signed a letter of intent to explore the formation of a new health care organization. The proposed health care company would see both systems preserve their trusted brand and continue delivering care locally while collectively achieving administrative efficiencies under a parent organization.

“As a not-for-profit health system, we must pave a sustainable path forward to continue serving our communities with care and coverage. While we’ve done that successfully independently, we know that partnering with like-minded health systems will allow us to accelerate our efforts,” said Dale Maxwell, president and CEO, Presbyterian Healthcare Services. “UnityPoint Health shares in our commitment to keeping health care delivery local and creating a culture where the workforce thrives, which will serve as foundational elements as we embark on this journey.”

Combined, UnityPoint Health and Presbyterian affect the lives of 4 million patients and members through more than 40 hospital facilities, hundreds of clinics and significant health plan operations. The two organizations collectively represent a 40,000-strong workforce including nearly 3,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians working alongside independent clinicians, educational partners and colleges.

Goals for exploring the creation of a new health care organization, which would function as a parent company for not-for-profit health systems, include making greater investments in clinical excellence, digital innovation, workforce development and value-based care while lowering administrative costs.

“UnityPoint Health and Presbyterian are two organizations rooted in similar values,” said Clay Holderman, president and CEO, UnityPoint Health. “By lowering administrative costs, building new capabilities and increasing investments in innovation and clinical excellence, our intent is to help improve affordability and accessibility of care. We’re excited about the unique possibilities ahead.”

Both systems will now pursue a period of greater evaluation and exploration of next steps toward a definitive agreement and regulatory approvals.

Johnson named CEO at Loring Hospital
Matt Johnson has been named CEO at Loring Hospital in Sac City. Johnson began his role Wednesday, March 1. He had been interim CEO at the hospital since November 2022. Johnson began his career in health care leadership at Cherokee Regional Medical Center, ultimately being named the hospital's CEO in 2016. Since then, he has held various hospital executive leadership roles in Iowa.

IHA and members meet with health care group from Ukraine
This week, a delegation of six Ukrainian health care professionals met with staff from the Iowa Hospital Association and representatives at Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne and the VA of Central Iowa Health Care System. The visit, coordinated by the Iowa International Center, was designed to share best practices and learn about the management of health care in the U.S.

Registration open for 2023 Workers' Compensation Conference
Be sure to register for the 2023 Workers' Compensation Conference, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the IHA Conference Center in Des Moines. This year's topics include:

• Workplace violence in health care.
• OSHA reporting and recordkeeping.
• Claims case studies, best practices and panel discussion.
• Supervisory safety training.

PYA webinar offers checklist for the end of the PHE
Mark your calendars for an upcoming webinar by IHA associate member PYA, “Preparing for the End: PHE Waivers and Flexibilities Checklist,” 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 15.

Three years ago, HHS waived or modified nearly 200 federal regulatory requirements to help providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the end of the public health emergency rapidly approaching, providers must untangle themselves from these waivers and flexibilities and return to “normal” operations.

To help providers with this Herculean task, PYA will introduce a comprehensive end-of-PHE checklist and provide helpful commentary on compliance strategies.

This complimentary webinar is part of PYA’s twice-monthly “Healthcare Regulatory Roundup” series in which experts from across the firm provide practical insights on the latest regulatory developments.

• Case studies of three hospitals implementing positive safety cultures.