UMHS becomes equity partner in Together Health Network

UMHS is taking the next step in its partnership with Ascension and Trinity Health — the founding sponsors of Together Health Network.

The health system is now a minority equity partner in the statewide, physician-led clinically integrated network of health care providers. The network, which launched in 2014, has providers readily accessible to 75 percent of all Michigan residents.

“This partnership strengthens the ability of the citizens of Michigan to obtain access to the highly specialized services available at the University of Michigan,” said David Spahlinger, MD, president of the UMHS clinical enterprise.

The new partnership adds a UMHS representative to the Together Health Network board and will add UMHS representatives to various Together Health Network committees.

Previously, UMHS had become a participating provider in Together for the purposes of providing highly specialized quaternary health care to THN patients. Now, the partnership is growing stronger.

“This is exciting news for Together Health and our health systems,” said Gwen MacKenzie, chair of the THN board and senior vice president of Ascension/Michigan marketing executive. “We’re excited to add UMHS experts as partners in clinical and business leadership.”

THN includes 25 hospitals, hundreds of ambulatory centers operated by Ascension and Trinity Health and a dozen physician organizations across the state.