Philadelphia Medicine Fall 2021 - 11

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Turmoil at Tower?
PENN MEDICINE COULD PLAY VITAL ROLE IN
HEALTH SYSTEM'S REORGANIZATION
By David A. Kostival, Contributing Writer
O
ver the past year, there have been questions and lots of
speculation regarding the future of Tower Health, one of
the region's largest health care systems based in Reading,
Berks County.
This past summer, the focus on Tower Health's future was made
a little clearer when news broke that its board of directors decided
the health care system would develop a strategic alliance with Penn
Medicine, which is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health
System, headquartered in Philadelphia.
But the announcement has left many unanswered questions
about the details of the strategic alliance and what it will ultimately
mean for Tower Health.
14,000 Employees
Tower Health has approximately 14,000 employees and consists
of Reading Hospital in West Reading; Brandywine Hospital in
Coatesville; Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; Jennersville
Hospital in West Grove; Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville;
Pottstown Hospital in Pottstown and St. Christopher's Hospital for
Children, which is a partnership between Tower Health and Drexel
University in Philadelphia.
The system also includes Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at
Wyomissing, Reading Hospital School of Health Science in West
Reading, home health care services, a network of 25 urgent care
facilities and a connected network of 2,200 physicians, specialists
and providers in more than 230 locations.
On July 30, Tower Health distributed a press release, which stated:
" After several months of careful exploration and due diligence,
Tower Health's Board of Directors has decided that the system can
best chart its path forward by developing a strategic alliance with
Penn Medicine. "
The release said Tower Health would also continue its work to
improve its clinical and financial operations.
Alignment Model
The Tower Health board signed a non-binding letter of intent to
begin what it called " the process of developing an alignment model
with Penn Medicine based on its renowned reputation for clinical
excellence, compassionate care, leadership in research and innovation
and commitment to the community. "
While the announcement left unanswered questions, the news
release emphasized that a strategic alliance is not a merger, and that
Tower Health was not being purchased by Penn Medicine.
" It is a relationship between separate organizations focused on the
joint development of innovative programs and initiatives that provide
exceptional care and value and a high-quality patient experience, "
according to a statement.
continued on next page
Fall 2021 : Philadelphia Medicine 11
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