Major medical alliance formed; partnership to broaden options

The alliance will allow the organizations to collaborate on clinical research — including cancer research already under way — as well as possibly create satellite health care facilities, develop joint graduate medical education programs and give patients better access to treatment.

The presidents of both institutions stressed that the agreement is not a merger or one group buying the other, but an alliance that allows autonomy for each institution.

“There is no money changing hands; each institution will remain independent,” Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation President Ronald Peterson said.

A committee of five people from each organization will form to oversee each endeavor that falls under the agreement.

The joining of the two institutions came about when Peterson and Anne Arundel Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Martin “Chip” Doordan, who have been acquainted professionally for many years, had a series of discussions about the challenges facing the health care system today.

“One of the realities at Johns Hopkins is that we have a difficult time meeting the needs of folks knocking on our door for our services,” Peterson said.

“Collaborations like this need to exist to provide health care to all people,” Doordan said.

The two medical institutions have worked together over the years, but this week’s deal makes the relationship official.

“Cancer research is going back to the bench, back to the basics, and Hopkins has a handle on basic research. We have a long history with them; this just brings more resources to the table,” said Stanley Watkins, medical director of the oncology center at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

The alliance will serve Anne Arundel, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline counties and parts of Prince George’s County.

dulman@baltimoreexaminer.com