HARRISBURG, Pa., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell and Tenet Pennsylvania representative Steve Corbeil said today that a binding letter of agreement has been signed that will keep the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital open an additional month beyond the July 30 closure date previously announced by Tenet. On Aug. 31, East Falls Hospital System will assume operations of the facility.
Under the agreement, Tenet Pennsylvania will sell the MCP facilities and grounds to WMCH Inc., a nonprofit corporation newly created by the Commonwealth, for $1. The non-real estate assets, including most hospital equipment, will be transferred by Tenet to the East Falls Hospital System, which will operate the facility as an acute-care hospital. East Falls Hospital System is a new, nonprofit organization formed by Nancy Pickering, M.D., the cardiologist who spearheaded the Association to Save MCP Hospital.
The East Falls Hospital System will enter into academic affiliation agreements with the Drexel University College of Medicine and other academic partners for the training of medical residents. All residents currently attached to MCP Hospital will transfer to Hahnemann University Hospital and continue training in residency programs sponsored by the Drexel University College of Medicine.
"This agreement, which is the result of weeks of intense negotiations, is a major step toward our goal of continuing medical operations at the site of MCP Hospital," Governor Rendell said. "Although this deal is not yet complete, and there is still much to do before ownership of the facility can be transferred, I am very optimistic that it will get done."
"Since February, we have worked with Governor Rendell, Senator Specter, the Drexel University College of Medicine and their staffs to find an alternative to closure for MCP Hospital," said Corbeil, who is senior vice president of operations for Tenet's Central Northeast-Southern States Region. "We believe that an alternative has been found."
The Governor and Corbeil thanked those working on the negotiations and the employees and physicians of MCP for their patience during this difficult time and their continued commitment to deliver quality patient care. The Governor also praised Philadelphia Mayor John Street for his steadfast support during the negotiations and thanked the other elected officials who have been working to save the hospital.
Earlier this year, the Commonwealth had reached an agreement with Tenet Pennsylvania to keep MCP Hospital open until June 30, 2004. Tenet later extended the agreement to July 30. In early June, Tenet officials were notified of the Governor's and the Senator's support of a proposal by the Association to Save MCP to continue operations at the facility. Staff began negotiations with Tenet to complete a deal that would meet the community's needs. The agreement announced today is the result of those negotiations, which are still ongoing.
CONTACT: Kate Philips (Gov's Office), +1-717-783-1116 or Margaret Shiver (Tenet), +1-214-213-0086
Pennsylvania Office of the GovernorCONTACT: Kate Philips (Gov's Office), +1-717-783-1116 or Margaret Shiver(Tenet), +1-214-213-0086
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
