Nineteen Independent Minnesota Hospitals to Collaborate on New Network to Strengthen Rural Healthcare
June 27 2024 - 11:00AM
Business Wire
Headwaters High-Value Network to develop clinically integrated
network and shared business services to enhance and sustain
healthcare in rural communities
The Headwaters High-Value Network announced its launch today as
a collaboration of 19 independent rural Minnesota hospitals working
together on clinical and business initiatives to strengthen
healthcare in rural communities across the state.
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Headwaters High-Value Network is an
alliance of 19 independent rural hospitals across the state of
Minnesota, with more than 50 affiliated clinics. (Graphic: Business
Wire)
The centerpiece of the Headwaters collaboration is a clinically
integrated network (CIN) featuring 19 hospitals and more than 50
clinics that will provide coordinated care to more than 750,000
Minnesotans. The network also will set up operational
collaborations designed to control costs and spread best practices
among its members.
Networks like the Headwaters HVN and the Rough Rider High-Value
Network in North Dakota are an innovative model for rural hospitals
to band together to meet the mounting challenges of delivering
healthcare in rural communities. The capabilities needed to thrive
in healthcare today, such as controlling the rising costs of
providing care and expanding care coordination, are enhanced with
the economies of size and scale.
As the collaboration deepens among members, the Headwaters HVN
will be a strong partner with payers on value-based insurance
products that improve quality, reduce cost, and enhance patient and
provider experience.
“The members of the Headwaters network believe that helping
rural hospitals to remain independent is the best way to serve the
healthcare needs of our communities,” said Ken Westman, chair of
the Headwaters board and CEO of Riverwood Healthcare Center in
Aitkin, Minn. “We also believe that our independence is
strengthened by our interdependence. The more we can work together,
the better we can care for our communities.”
The Headwaters network is in discussions with other rural
hospitals in Minnesota interested in joining as members and expects
to grow.
Headwaters leadership announced
The Headwaters HVN board of directors includes seven leaders
from member rural hospitals across Minnesota:
- Chair Ken Westman, CEO of Riverwood Healthcare Center in
Aitkin
- Vice Chair Randy Ulseth, CEO of Welia Health in Mora
- Secretary and Treasurer Carl Vaagenes, CEO of Alomere Health in
Alexandria
- Joel Beiswenger, president and CEO of Astera Health in
Wadena
- Erik Bjerke, CEO of Madison (Minn.) Healthcare Services
- Carrie Michalski, president and CEO of RiverView Health in
Crookston
- Rachelle Schultz, president and CEO of Winona (Minn.) Health
Services
The active daily management of the network will be led by
principals from Cibolo Health, including Nathan H. White,
president, and A. Clinton MacKinney, MD, chief medical officer.
Cibolo Health helps independent rural hospitals create clinically
integrated networks with their peers to overcome the obstacles
rural healthcare providers face.
Expanding collaboration, driving efficiencies
The Headwaters CIN will drive care coordination efforts and
reduce administrative burdens for providers. The network includes a
Clinical Integration Committee (CIC) to oversee all clinical and
quality initiatives. The committee includes one medical
practitioner from each member hospital.
“Pooling the clinical know-how of our members through the
Clinical Integration Committee ensures continued access to
high-quality care that strengthens the vitality of rural
communities,” Dr. MacKinney said. “The CIC relieves some of the
burden on physicians and gives them a supportive peer community,
which will help our member hospitals recruit and retain
clinicians.”
The Headwaters HVN also will provide member hospitals a menu of
shared services that promote more efficient operations. The network
is exploring shared solutions in population health platform, data
analytics, care management solutions and other areas.
“Everyone involved with Headwaters has a great sense of
collaboration, a high ‘collaborative IQ,’ that will help us sustain
independent hospitals for the long term,” Westman said. “We
understand that working together works for our communities.”
About Headwaters
Headwaters High-Value Network enables rural healthcare providers
to collaborate on clinical and operational initiatives, ensuring
the availability, affordability and quality of care in rural
communities. The Headwaters clinically integrated network (CIN) is
driving our innovative efforts to change the face of rural
healthcare for a population of more than 750,000 Minnesotans.
Headwaters encompasses 19 hospitals and more than 50 clinics. For
more, visit headwatersnetwork.org.
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Vince Galloro, on behalf of Headwaters High-Value Network (312)
625-2137 vince.galloro@sunrisehlth.com