FAYETTEVILLE - As part of the growing focus on population health, Cape
Fear Valley Health and Vidant Health are proud to announce a new partnership
aimed at addressing and improving chronic health conditions in rural North
Carolina.
“Both of our organizations
understand the unique challenges facing this region,” said Todd Hickey, chief
clinical network development officer, Vidant Health. “This partnership
demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing lifestyle choices that lead to
chronic health conditions.”
The clinically integrated network
of care will allow both health systems to strategically align resources in a
way that will help better deliver care to some of the most underserved
populations in the country.
“By working collaboratively, we
can address many of the factors that influence health outcomes for the rural
populations we serve south and east of the urban areas of the state,” said
Michael Nagowski, chief executive officer, Cape Fear Valley Health System.
“This partnership advances our vision: In every way, improving the quality of
every life we touch.”
The majority of counties in
eastern and southeastern North Carolina rank in the bottom half in overall
health outcomes, according to a 2019 study by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. This new partnership by Vidant and
Cape Fear Valley will engage these communities in a collaborative
patient-centered approach using best practices, including the use of
technology, localized care management and streamlined patient experiences to
accomplish shared goals.
This population health project is
the first step in introducing local physicians, physician assistants and nurse
practitioners in the 35 counties through a larger collaborative approach that
will be a vehicle toward improving engagement, quality and patient outcomes while
lowering costs to the patient and their families.
“We are continually assessing ways in which we can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of health care,” said Hickey. “Our priority is and always will be the communities we serve and we are committed to creating networks of care to keep our family, friends and neighbors healthy.”