Mount Sinai Hospital and Bridgepoint Active Healthcare have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the two medical institutions merge to provide a more seamless treatment experience for patients.
In addition, a partnership with Circle of Care, a Toronto-based home care provider, will allow the three health organizations to provide treatment from the acute care phase to rehabilitation to support for patients once they return to their homes.
“The proposed amalgamation with Bridgepoint is an extraordinarily exciting growth opportunity for Mount Sinai Hospital and is a testament to Jewish community leaders who founded this great hospital over 90 years ago,” Jay Hennick, chair of Mount Sinai’s board and Joseph Mapa, the hospital’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
“Building on a strong heritage, the proposed Sinai Health System will support our vision to grow our hospital and lead the health-care sector with excellent partners, such as Bridgepoint – a highly respected leader in complex chronic care and rehabilitation, and Circle of Care – a leading provider of home care and community-based services.”
They added: “As a Jewish-founded hospital, we continue to go from strength to strength, thanks to the unwavering support of our community. We hope this community will continue to feel pride in Mount Sinai’s accomplishments as we work toward offering our patients an integrated and co-ordinated care experience and setting new standards of excellence in patient care.”
According to a message to stakeholders from Mapa and Marian Walsh, president and CEO of Bridgepoint, located in the Riverdale area of Toronto, “the proposed amalgamation would see Mount Sinai and Bridgepoint come together to create one new organization on two campuses – Bridgepoint at the corner of Gerrard Street and Broadview Avenue, and Mount Sinai Hospital, Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex, on University Avenue.
“Each campus and legacy organization would retain its existing brand and its distinct identity, and we will bring together the overall system under the newly created ‘Sinai Health System’ banner.”
According to the two CEOs, the amalgamated body would integrate the clinical care, research, and education components of both organizations, as well as amalgamating their respective foundations.
The hospitals are currently seeking regulatory approvals while setting out more detailed planning to complete the merger. The process is expected to be completed by the end of the year.