Advanced Healthcare, Aurora reach alliance formation agreement

Marinette Eagle Herald, August 1, 2007

MILWAUKEE -- Advanced Healthcare and Aurora Health Care today announced that the two physician-led organizations will come together under a broad affiliation agreement that will enhance care for patients and better serve the community.

"We could not be more excited about this," said Eugene Monroe, M.D., president of Advanced Healthcare. "Together we will be able to do much more for our patients, improving quality and controlling the cost of care. It's the combination of quality and cost that defines true value in health care."

Nick Turkal, M.D., chief executive officer of Aurora Health Care, also praised the agreement.

"Our two organizations make a wonderful match," Turkal said. "We both put the patient at the center of all we do. We share very similar visions and values, and we're both committed to continually improving quality and finding new ways to make health care more efficient and effective."

John Konkel, M.D., chairman of the board of Advanced Healthcare, said Advanced had sought an affiliation that would allow for the Advanced physicians to coordinate care over a broad spectrum of services and patient needs. "It's called integrated health care, and we believe it is the best and most efficient way to provide care," Konkel said. "It became clear to us that Aurora was the right partner. The people of Aurora have created Wisconsin's most fully integrated health care system."

Advanced Healthcare and Aurora Health Care began discussing a potential alliance last fall. The boards of directors of the two organizations endorsed an agreement in the spring, and the physician shareholders of Advanced voted overwhelmingly this month to approve the agreement.

"We are delighted with this agreement," said Donald Nestor, Aurora's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Our two organizations believe in the same things -- clinical quality improvement, service excellence, innovation, and our approach to patient care. Working together, there is much we will be able to achieve for those we serve."

Under the agreement, the leadership team at Advanced Healthcare will remain intact and continue to oversee all of the operations of the 14 Advanced clinics. The clinics are located in Brookfield, Germantown, Glendale, Grafton, Hubertus, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Port Washington and Wauwatosa.

Advanced patients will have access to all of the services of Aurora Health Care, including the advanced tertiary care available at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, the care available to women and infants at Aurora Sinai Medical Center and the Aurora Women's Pavilion at West Allis Memorial Hospital, and home care services.