September 1, 2021
BUFFALO, NY—Today Evergreen Health and Spectrum Health and Human Services announced their intent to explore a strategic affiliated partnership. The two healthcare organizations will continue its independent due diligence over the next several months. Spectrum Health would become an affiliated partner of Evergreen Health upon completion of the due diligence period and if mutually agreed upon by both organizations at that time. An official announcement is expected at the end of 2021.
This is the third partnership announcement for Evergreen in 2021 and the first for Spectrum Health. A partnership will offer opportunities for program service expansion and operational and financial efficiencies over the long-term.
“It’s been a very dynamic year for Evergreen and I’m excited to have the opportunity to explore a partnership with Spectrum Health, an organization that has a long history of providing quality behavioral, rehabilitation and social services throughout Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Monroe Counties,” said Raymond Ganoe, president and CEO, Evergreen Health. “Not-for-profit healthcare organizations are finding ways to collaborate, partner and ensure important services can sustain and grow in the long-term. I look forward to our work ahead over the next several months.”
Both the Evergreen and Spectrum Health Board of Directors signed the letter of intent enabling the two entities to explore this new partnership. Both organizations would retain their 501©3 not-for-profit status and continue to control their day-to-day operations. Spectrum Health would continue to function as a separate legal entity and employ its own staff while becoming an affiliate of Evergreen. Initially, there will be no operational impact for either organization.
“Our partnership with Evergreen will create a regionally unique continuum and scope of services that will enable the integration of medical, behavioral and supportive services,” said Bruce Nisbet, president and CEO, Spectrum Health and Human Services. “This new partnership will allow us to expand this unique model of care, which treats the whole patient and results in better health outcomes. We are excited to bring two mission-driven organizations together to create a healthier community.”
Evergreen serves more than 16,000 patients through its medical, behavioral, supportive and pharmacy services, and Spectrum Health serves 12,000 patients.
“Collaboration is a key component to improving health outcomes,” said Ganoe. “When the healthcare community innovates and collaborates, patients win. I’m proud to be a part of a community that values sharing ideas and exploring new ways to build stronger and sustainable programs and services that reach beyond the regional boundaries we already serve.”
Both Evergreen and Spectrum Health acknowledge that they would not have gotten this far in their conversations if they didn’t mutually agree this was the best path forward for both organizations.
“Our patients are at the heart of everything we do at Spectrum Health,” said Nisbet. “Knowing that we can work collaboratively with local partners so that our important services can sustain over the long-term is reassuring to everyone we serve. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished so far with Evergreen and look forward to what’s ahead.”
Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.
Spectrum Health and Human Services is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) providing mental health, addiction, rehabilitation, care coordination, housing and crisis services in locations throughout Western New York. Spectrum Health promotes hope, empowerment and self-defined improvements to adults, children, and families as they recover from behavioral and/or addiction-related disorders. Visit www.shswny.org for more information.