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On Feb. 3 Johnston Health announced finalization of their partnership with UNC Health Care.


On Feb. 3 Johnston Health announced finalization of their partnership with UNC Health Care.

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Johnston Health and UNC Health Care have finalized their partnership, paving the way for a collaboration that will improve the health and wellness of residents of Johnston County and surrounding areas for generations to come.

“We sought a strategic partner who would help us adapt to a rapidly changing health care environment, and to provide the best possible care for our patients and their families,” said Chuck Elliott, CEO of Johnston Health. “We are thrilled to begin our work with UNC Health Care, and look forward to expanding the medical care available in one of the state’s fastest-growing communities.”

“UNC Health Care is committed to enhancing Johnston Health’s capabilities while maintaining its community identity and culture,” said David Strong, Chief Operating Officer of System Affiliations at UNC Health Care. “We will look for ways to share best practices with our new partner hospital, while bringing local residents more access to the specialized care, research and teaching that UNC Health Care focuses on each day.”

Johnston Health and UNC Health Care have formed a joint venture that will oversee the daily operations of Johnston Health’s campuses in Smithfield and Clayton. UNC Health Care will provide $57.6 million of capital in exchange for partial ownership in the newly formed Johnston Health Services Corp.

Most of that money will pay for an expansion at Johnston Medical Center in Clayton. Construction is now underway on a new three-story addition, which will turn the outpatient center on N.C. 42 into a full-service, 50-bed hospital. That hospital will open in January 2015.

The partners also will work together on a strategic plan to expand the care and services available in Johnston County, with a goal of providing more access to much-needed services closer to home. That could include more cardiovascular, oncology, obstetric, pediatric, orthopedic and rehabilitation services.

The partnership became final this week after government agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, finished their reviews of the agreement. HUD backed the $144 million loan in 2008 to finance an addition to the hospital in Smithfield and the construction of the outpatient center in Clayton.

Johnston Health will keep its name. However, its logo will change to reflect the partnership.

The new joint venture will be overseen by a board comprised of 11 commissioners now serving on the Johnston Health Board, plus six members appointed by UNC Health Care. The six new members are listed below.

New Board Members

Gary Park, President of UNC Hospitals
Gary Park has served as President of UNC Hospitals since March 2004. In addition, he is responsible for Rex Healthcare and other affiliated hospitals in the UNC Health Care System network. Park previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Moses Cone Health System from October 1997 until December 2000.

David Strong, President of Rex Healthcare; Chief Operating Officer of UNC Health Care-System Affiliations
David Strong became president of Rex in September 2004 and oversees all aspects of the health system’s operations and its 5,300 co-workers at six campuses across Wake County. He also serves as chief operating officer of UNC Health Care for system affiliations. In this role, Strong provides leadership and direction for all community hospitals and regional care sites.

Chris Ellington, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, UNC Hospitals & Chief Financial Officer of System Affiliations, UNC Healthcare
Chris Ellington joined UNC Health Care in 2008 and is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for UNC Hospitals and the UNC Health Care System Chief Financial Officer for System Affiliations. As CFO of UNC Hospitals, Ellington is the principal financial leader of the N.C. Cancer Hospital, N.C. Children’s Hospital, N.C. Women’s Hospital, N.C. Memorial Hospital, and N.C. Neurosciences Hospital.

Dr. Dennis Koffer, M.D., General Surgeon at Triangle East Surgery, Hospice Medical Director of Johnston Home Care & Hospice
As Hospice Medical Director, Dr. Koffer oversees the quality of care at Johnston Home Care and Hospice and is part of the multi-disciplinary team that plans all aspects of patient care. Dr. Koffer is a former chief of the medical staff and has been a surgeon for 35 years.

Dr. Eric Janis, M.D., Cardiologist with North Carolina Heart & Vascular’s Smithfield Office
Dr. Eric Janis has been part of Wake Heart and Vascular for 15 years, and provides general cardiology services for patients at North Carolina Heart & Vascular’s Smithfield and Clayton offices. He has served in many different positions at Johnston Health, including chief of the medical staff.

Bengie Gaddis, Chief Deputy of Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
In his role as Chief Deputy of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Bengie Gaddis strives to provide superior law enforcement for the citizens of Johnston County. Past positions within the Sheriff’s Office have included detective, lieutenant, major crimes and Patrol Captain. He is also a volunteer with the Smithfield Fire Department.

About Johnston Health
Johnston Health is Johnston County’s health care system. It includes Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield, an acute care hospital licensed for 199 beds, and Johnston Medical Center-Clayton, an outpatient campus providing same day surgery, diagnostic imaging and lab services, and a freestanding emergency department. Johnston Health also has primary care practices in Clayton and Kenly and an urgent care in Smithfield.

About UNC Health Care
The UNC Health Care System is a not-for-profit integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. It exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care. UNC Health Care is comprised of UNC Hospitals, ranked consistently among the best medical centers in the country; the UNC School of Medicine, a nationally eminent research institution; community practices; home health and hospice services in seven central North Carolina counties; Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, NC; Chatham Hospital in Siler City, NC; High Point Regional Hospital in High Point, NC; Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir, NC; and Rex Healthcare and its provider network in Wake County