Kaiser Permanente and Holy Cross Health Expand Upon Longstanding Partnership

Collaboration between health systems focuses on improving community health and well-being

(ROCKVILLE, Md.) — Kaiser Permanente and Holy Cross Health are pleased to announce the renewal of a longstanding collaboration to care for our community. Together the two health systems have worked to improve patient health through innovative, integrated and cost-effective care models. Additionally, they have worked closely to invest in improved community health through exercise and wellness programs, particularly targeting seniors and those at highest risk for poor health. Holy Cross Health’s hospitals in Silver Spring and Germantown, Maryland, are premier hospitals within Kaiser Permanente’s comprehensive care network, meaning that the organizations’ high standards of care are aligned.

"Advancing the partnership between Holy Cross Health and Kaiser Permanente demonstrates our joint commitment to high-quality hospital-based care and allows us to further collaborate to bring all other care closer to home for the communities we serve," shared Norvell V. Coots, MD, President and CEO of Holy Cross Health. "We are looking forward to partnering with Kaiser Permanente’s healthcare teams at both Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital while expanding innovative care models together using home care and technology provided for in-home health support."

Throughout their long relationship, Kaiser Permanente and Holy Cross Health have launched several novel programs focused on utilizing an integrated approach to care to improve health outcomes and overall wellness. In 2019, the two organizations launched an internal medicine residency program in the region. Additionally, the two have worked together on the SeniorFit program, which provides community-based fitness programs to seniors in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and mobile integrated healthcare, working with local EMS to care for patients prior to going to the emergency department.

“Holy Cross has been a true partner to Kaiser Permanente and shares our commitment to keeping people well. We appreciate the partnership and shared dedication to serving our community,” said Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President, Kaiser Permanente. “We look forward to continuing this work together with a focus on finding new ways to innovate and improve health through the delivery of high-quality, accessible care.”

Hundreds of award-winning Permanente physicians provide care to their patients at Holy Cross’s hospitals in Silver Spring and Germantown. “Permanente Medicine physicians only partner with organizations who share our commitment to medical excellence. We perform many of our bariatric, oncologic, and vascular surgeries in the state-of-the-art facilities at Holy Cross Health and our patients experience excellent outcomes. We also proudly deliver thousands of babies each year at Holy Cross. Our shared commitment to medical excellence means patients have a seamless experience, with coordinated care to ensure faster recoveries and less time away from home,” said Richard McCarthy, MD, Medical Director for Kaiser Permanente.

Recently, Holy Cross Health and Kaiser Permanente received a $2.7 million joint grant from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission to help Medicare patients stay healthy through improved care management for more than 25,000 Medicare patients in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick counties. Through this two-year grant program, Kaiser Permanente and Holy Cross Health are identifying patients with medical conditions that require further medical attention – such as anemia, hypertension or even COVID-19. These patients receive support through case management and Kaiser Permanente’s innovative Virtual Home Care program supported by Holy Cross’ Home Care and Home Care Connect telehealth systems, which helps patients maintain their medical treatment at home through regular check-ins with a care provider to monitor their condition. A team of Kaiser Permanente case managers, social workers pharmacists and doctors manage the care of Medicare patients in the three counties with a goal of providing care in the most appropriate setting.

“Providing patient-centered care is at the heart of what we do at both Kaiser Permanente and Holy Cross Health. We are pleased to partner to help Medicare Advantage patients in our community stay healthy and reduce unnecessary hospital visits while providing access to care at home,” shared Skelly Wingard, Vice President of Care Continuum at Kaiser Permanente in the Mid-Atlantic region and Annice Cody, President, Holy Cross Health Network.

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About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Learn more.

About Holy Cross Health

Holy Cross Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, people-centered health system that serves the two most populous counties in Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, with a commitment to being the most trusted provider of health care services in the area. Founded in 1963 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Holy Cross Health is a member of Trinity Health of Livonia, Michigan, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Holy Cross Hospital, in Silver Spring, is one of the largest hospitals in Maryland, and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is the first hospital in the nation on a community college campus, enhanced by an educational partnership. The Holy Cross Health Network operates primary care practices and affordable health centers and offers a wide range of innovative, community-based health and wellness programs. Specialty care, home care and hospice services round out Holy Cross Health's high quality and coordinated continuum of care that aims to improve health and move life ahead for individuals and populations in the communities served. In fiscal 2019, Holy Cross Health contributed nearly 10 percent of its $629 million revenue to community benefit activities that meet community needs and improve access to health. Learn more.

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