Summit Orthopedics And HealthEast Form Orthopedic Care Partnership

Saint Paul, MN /PRNewswire/ - Summit Orthopedics and HealthEast, part of Fairview Health Services, today announced that their boards of directors have approved a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient agreement through which Summit will become HealthEast's exclusive orthopedic care partner. The intent of this agreement is to expand the capabilities of both organizations in an effort to positively impact the quality of care and patient experience for patients.

A major component of the agreement allows HealthEast to become a minority owner of Summit's nationally recognized Vadnais Heights Surgery Center. This facility is just one of two outpatient centers nationwide to receive The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.

Summit Orthopedics will work collaboratively at each of the HealthEast inpatient hospitals to deliver orthopedic care in a manner that doesn't currently exist in the Minnesota marketplace. This will include an exclusive arrangement to cover call, provide on-site orthopedic expertise, and implement ways to improve the patient experience and quality of care for orthopedic patients. Summit will also be the preferred partner for HealthEast physicians when referring orthopedic cases.

"We've always had a deep respect for the compassionate and quality patient care that HealthEast offers," said Adam Berry, CEO of Summit. "This agreement presents Summit with a wonderful opportunity to work in tandem with HealthEast to bring to market a healthcare model that doesn't currently exist in the Twin Cities and to have a tremendous and positive impact on patient care."

"Summit Orthopedics has repeatedly demonstrated leadership and innovation through the care they provide to their orthopedic patients. HealthEast is excited to have Summit Orthopedics be an important extension of the care team that will improve the quality of orthopedics care in the Twin Cities area," said Kevin Garrett, MD, East region medical executive with HealthEast.

About HealthEast
HealthEast is part of Fairview Health Services, a nonprofit integrated health system providing exceptional care across the full spectrum of health care services. From prevention to cure, HealthEast meets the needs of the community with family health and specialty programs that span four hospitals – Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Woodwinds Health Campus – plus primary care and specialty clinics, ambulatory services, home care, hospice and medical transportation. HealthEast has nearly 7,500 employees and nearly 800 employed and aligned providers. Our focus is optimal health and well-being for our patients, our communities and ourselves.

About Summit Orthopedics
Summit Orthopedics is privately owned and managed, with 50 highly trained orthopedic specialists teamed with 125 supporting providers such as physician assistants, therapists, and certified athletic trainers. For more than 30 years, Summit has provided a range of conservative and progressive care options for musculoskeletal conditions for patients across the Twin Cities, throughout Greater Minnesota and beyond. This includes prevention, surgical and non-surgical treatment, and rehabilitation. Summit employs about 850 people at 33 locations throughout Minnesota.