“I do believe West Suburban is a good hospital, and we have to make sure we have the best delivery of care,” Ford said. He said Tenet is “about the bottom line,” adding that while hospitals must make a profit, they need to “put people’s health care over the bottom line” and that malpractice lawsuits can cost hospitals more in the long run.įord did not speak specifically about malpractice lawsuits associated with West Suburban or Tenet, but noted, “Most hospitals have lawsuits, but we want to prevent lawsuits.” “ rave about how they can go and there’s no real wait time,” Ford said. He said he’s heard “over and over” that the community doesn’t feel West Suburban is taking care of patients the best way it should and that patients frequently travel to Elmhurst Hospital’s emergency room, even though West Suburban and Loretto Hospital in Austin are closer. “I’ve tried to work with Tenet on that.”įord said he was “fine with Tenet leaving” and looks forward to working with an owner who wants to be in the community. “I think that’s one of the best ways to get started in the community,” he said. Ottolino could not immediately be reached for comment.įord said he hopes the transition results in the establishment of a community advisory board. “I remain hopeful about the future of our hospital, and I look forward to discussing this new with you at our next board meeting,” Ottolino said in the letter to the local governing board. Ottolino said that “colleagues in good standing will be offered positions to remain at our hospital.” Tenet said they expect the transaction to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018. Ottolino stated in his letter to the governing board that “nothing changes in the near term, and we will be focused on ensuring a seamless transition of ownership over the next few months.” “We need them to come in ready to work with the community, protect workers’ rights and increase their quality of care for their service area,” Ford said.
Vanguard purchased the hospital in 2010, and Tenet bought it in 2013. It was sold to Loyola University Medical Center in 1996, but returned to independent status three years later when it was sold to Resurrection Health Care. West Suburban Medical Center was an independent non-profit for its first 82 years. “I do have a good feeling because I do know Eric Whitaker … does understand Chicago health care,” Ford said.įord said he told both Whitaker and representatives of Pipeline that West Suburban “needs some stability.” Ownership of the hospital has changed hands four times since 1996. “We have a new opportunity to deliver the highest quality of health care on the West Side,” he said.įord said he believes that having Whitaker on board – he has served as executive vice president and associate dean of the University of Chicago Medical Center and is a former director of the Illinois Department of Public Health – is a positive development. Ford said he spoke with Whitaker recently about the potential sale and has “high expectations from the new ownership.”
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