Rush, Franciscan Alliance, Inc., Agree to Distinctive Strategic Partnership

Rush and Franciscan Alliance, Inc., have signed a letter of intent (LOI) and associated services agreement that will provide advisory services to assist Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in graduate medical education and physician recruitment throughout 2022.

Leaders from both health systems underscored the value of the collaboration that will result from the letter of intent and services agreement.

“This partnership brings together two healthcare systems committed to medical education that inspires innovative teaching, lifelong learning, service, and research. Additionally, we share a common mission to provide the highest quality of healthcare and improve access to care across the communities we serve,” said Allan M. Spooner, president and CEO of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.

“Our goal is to leverage each organization’s expertise to strengthen and embolden our clinical and academic excellence for years to come,” Spooner continued.

Under the agreement, Rush will support Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in strengthening its 12 graduate medical education programs. Olympia Fields has approximately 170 trainees who would be able to participate in Rush grand rounds and other educational activities. Rush offers more than 70 highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.

“This partnership will enable us to help educate more medical residents, fulfilling our commitment to train the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Dr. Joy Sclamberg, associate dean of medical education at Rush University. “Ultimately, this benefits the patients for whom we are privileged to care.”

“For Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, this affiliation with one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers will help enhance our major teaching hospital’s 12 postdoctoral training programs and boost our ability to recruit and retain physician faculty in our service area,” said Dr. Vernell Johnson III, chief medical officer, vice president of Medical Affairs and designated institutional official.

“Our relationship with Rush will allow Franciscan to expand the number of local specialists, improve the quality of clinical care, and increase access to research programs and clinical trials,” Johnson III noted.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to support Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, and the patients in the communities they serve,” said Dr. Paul Casey, MBA, FACEP, chief medical officer of Rush University Medical Center and interim president of faculty practice for Rush University Medical Group.

“By collaborating on a range of health professional training and education programs and in advocacy in support of healthcare issues, we help to ensure ongoing availability of healthcare providers and continued advancement and innovation in medicine,” he stated.