Western Reserve Hospital and University Hospitals Announce Partnership

CLEVELAND and CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Western Reserve Hospital and University Hospitals (UH) have entered into an agreement for UH to join Western Reserve as a minority partner.

Western Reserve Hospital was founded and is majority owned by Western Reserve Hospital Partners, a group of more than 100 primary care physicians and specialists from the Northeast Ohio region. UH will have a minority interest in the Cuyahoga Falls-based independent, physician-owned hospital.

"We look forward to the benefits of this new relationship with University Hospitals, and the opportunity to deliver our one-of-a-kind healthcare experience to even more patients across the region," said Dr. Robert Kent, President and CEO, Western Reserve Hospital. "Since day one we have been working to increase access to a higher level of care services for our local communities, and this collaboration with University Hospitals will allow us to further that work by bringing even greater clinical sophistication to Summit County.”

“UH is pleased to extend care close to home for our Summit County patients through our new relationship with Western Reserve, a hospital that has demonstrated excellence and shares our vision to provide the most advanced care, compassion and value,” said Cliff Megerian, MD, University Hospitals President. “The affiliation will lead to expanded services and more options for patients at Western Reserve Hospital and better access to the quaternary care and clinical trials available through our academic medical center.”

UH has pledged to work closely with Western Reserve Hospital’s board of directors, physicians, leadership and employees to bring investments and cost efficiencies that will benefit Summit County, including enhancements to facilities, equipment and services. Additionally, UH will provide leading-edge technology, innovative practices, strong clinical research and other initiatives that will complement and grow Western Reserve Hospital's highly regarded clinical programs.

Western Reserve Hospital opened its doors in 2009, becoming the only physician-owned and managed full-service acute-care hospital in Ohio. Western Reserve serves as one of Northeast Ohio’s most advanced community hospitals, dedicated not only to exceptional patient care and excellence in health care services, but also to education, community outreach and the overall wellness of Cuyahoga Falls and the surrounding areas. It has 89 staffed beds.

UH employs more than 28,000 Ohio residents and is the second-largest employer in Northeast Ohio. Western Reserve Hospital would represent the 19th hospital in the UH health system’s integrated network, which also has more than 50 outpatient health centers located in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, located in Cleveland’s University Circle, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The main campus also includes University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; University Hospitals MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, a high-volume national referral center for complex cardiovascular procedures; and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.