Brown University vision for R.I. health care would gather specialty hospitals with Lifespan

BROWN UNIVERSITY'S vision for Rhode Island health care would put Women and Infants and Butler under Lifespan's management. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY
BROWN UNIVERSITY'S vision for Rhode Island health care would integrate Women and Infants Hospital and possibly Butler Hospital into the Lifespan system. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY

PROVIDENCE — Brown University’s vision of health care in Rhode Island would concentrate all the state’s specialty hospitals under Lifespan Corp.’s management after their proposed merger with Prospect Medical Holdings and Care New England.

“Throughout our discussions with Prospect, we have been very clear about the importance of our relationship with Lifespan and our view that ultimately Women & Infants, and possibly Butler, should be joined with the Lifespan system,” wrote Dr. Jack A. Elias, senior vice president for health affairs at Brown in a letter sent to faculty and staff Monday.

Lifespan CEO & President Timothy J. Babineau’s response to the plan was neutral.

“Lifespan has not been party to the conversations between Brown and Prospect. As CNE is still in exclusive conversations with Partners HealthCare, it would be inappropriate to comment further. As the principal academic affiliate of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Lifespan has a vested interest in the future of our collective academic mission and our faculty. As always, Lifespan remains committed to providing world-class care to our patients and our communities irrespective of any changes in the marketplace,” Babineau said.

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“Brown would have greatly preferred to have Lifespan participate in the generation of this plan for a strong, locally controlled AMC (academic medical center), and we’re very hopeful that they will join us in the future,” Elias wrote.

Brown announced their Prospect-CNE proposal to the public Jan. 11 as an alternative to the current talks between CNE and Partners Healthcare. The University has urged the state to reject the Partners deal, citing a concern that it would shift the focus of Rhode Island health care to Boston, where Partners is based, causing a loss of jobs, health care services, and economic vigor to the Bay State.

“If the focal point of Rhode Island health care shifts to Boston, excellent physicians (many of them Brown-trained) could be less likely to choose Rhode Island as a place to practice. In addition, the full economic benefits of a strong local academic health system — one that brings in federal grants, generates spin-off companies and creates new jobs in Rhode Island— would be lost, perhaps forever,” wrote Christina Paxson, president of Brown University, in her proposal for the Brown-Prospect Care New England merger.

“Anyone that spends any time in and around the Rhode Island health care scene quickly appreciates that we have all of the elements that are required for a world-class academic medical center. Unfortunately, these resources are currently spread across three organizations: Lifespan, CNE and Brown,” wrote Elias.

Elias said Brown’s leaders share a desire with CNE and Lifespan officials to create a world-class, integrated academic medical center in Rhode Island.

Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.

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