Updated: 8: a.m.
PROVIDENCE – In an effort to create a more streamlined platform, Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School has partnered with six university-affiliated previously independent physician practice foundations – totaling more than 500 doctors university – according to a Thursday release by the school.
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An agreement outlining further integration and the evolving goals of newly-established nonprofit Brown Physicians, Inc. – which will come into effect July 1 – was signed Thursday by members of the Corporation of Brown University and presidents of the impacted foundations.
The six consolidated physician practice foundations are: The Neurology Foundation, University Emergency Medicine Foundation, University Medicine Foundation, University Surgical Associates Inc., Brown Urology, and Brown Dermatology Inc. – all of which are based in Providence.
“We believe that collaborating with our clinical partners to more tightly integrate patient care, research and education will result in a significant and positive impact on the local community,” said Brown University president Christina H. Paxson in prepared remarks.
In the release, Paxson listed additional goals of the consolidation, including better serving the community’s health care needs, growing combined research portfolios and contributing to the statewide plan to “cultivate a thriving biochemical economy.”
Financially, both the Warren Alpert Medical School and the six physician practice foundations will be responsible for BPI’s success. Throughout the first 10 years Brown will contribute to operational costs, fundraise for professorships and decide on new hires. According to the release, during that time, the foundations will pay “a modest percentage of revenues” in support of research and academic activities.
Dr. Angela Caliendo, vice president of University Medicine and a professor of medicine at Brown, serves as BPI’s interim executive director. In prepared remarks, she said: “Forming BPI is an important step, as it provides the foundations with the opportunity to enhance coordination of care, improve the quality of care for patients in R.I. and the region, better position us for success in the changing health care environment, and facilitate partnerships with the hospitals.”
She explained patients of the six foundations will not see a change in how they receive care, but under BPI they will be exposed to better care and administrative coordination.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a PBN staff writer.
