Parkview Health And Cincinnati Children's Finalize Joint Operating Agreement

Parkview Health and Cincinnati Children’s have finalized a joint operating agreement to expand access to pediatric healthcare for kids in Fort Wayne and the surrounding region.
The new joint enterprise brings together the operations of Parkview’s current pediatric hospital services, pediatric specialty services and pediatric primary care with Cincinnati Children’s. The jointly operated pediatric services will deliver emergency, inpatient and specialty care for kids.
“Parkview Health and Cincinnati Children’s believe this enhanced pediatric care will result in superior outcomes not only for families in our region, but also those across northern Indiana and northwest Ohio,” said Dr. Tony GiaQuinta, physician leader for pediatrics at Parkview Health. “We share a deep commitment to making high-quality care readily accessible to families. And as we work together to shape a new future for pediatric care in the region, we will continue to build on our strong existing relationship.” 
Cincinnati Children’s mission includes collaborating with healthcare organizations such as Parkview to advance pediatric medicine and improve outcomes for all kids, according to Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer of the Ohio-based system. This new collaboration does not include any of Cincinnati Children's existing pediatric operations outside of Parkview’s pediatric service line.
“Our enhanced collaboration will significantly expand on the high quality and convenience of pediatric services Parkview Health already makes available to families in the Fort Wayne region,” Alessandrini said. 
Pediatric care is currently provided at Parkview Health hospitals as well as at pediatric and specialty clinics throughout the Indiana-based system. Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) is the region’s leading provider of pediatric care, which includes a 27-bed inpatient unit, a seven-bed intensive care unit and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit. At Parkview Hospital Randallia, renovation is currently underway to expand the Family Birthing Center and construct a Level II Special Care Nursery.
“As a physician, I’m excited about what this means for the teams caring for children across Parkview every day,” said Dr. Ray Dusman, president of physician and clinical enterprise, Parkview Health. “This collaboration gives our pediatricians, specialists and clinical teams greater access to Cincinnati Children’s expertise and support, which helps us care for more kids locally, coordinate treatment more effectively and continue building the kind of pediatric care system families in our region deserve.”
This enhanced collaboration will create new jobs, including clinical and support staff, with the number yet to be determined. Parkview currently employs more than 17,500 people, including more than 240 pediatric primary care or family medicine providers at over 45 locations, and approximately 40 pediatric specialists.  
Cincinnati Children’s has over 19,500 employees, including many pediatric surgeons, medical specialists, primary care doctors, nurses and scientists. Their pediatric health system has over 1.7 million patient encounters annually across its three hospital campuses and 50 other sites of care. Cincinnati Children’s cares for local kids as well as patients from all 50 states and dozens of countries, including those with rare or complex disorders.