Windham Hospital Emergency Physicians Form New Group Practice
WILLIMANTIC, CT, April 1, 2008 -- Northeast Emergency Medicine Specialists, a new private-practice group formed by the current Emergency Department physicians at Windham Hospital, has signed an agreement with the Hospital to provide emergency medical staffing to the Hospital. The move is intended to promote quality care and operating efficiencies, while maintaining the professional services of the current Emergency Medicine team. This system is already used by other Hospital-based specialists, including radiologists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and pathologists. In making the change, Windham Hospital joins hospitals across the nation that use contracted emergency department physicians who bill separately for their services, and locally, these hospitals include Day Kimball Hospital, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, and Bristol Hospital, among others. The change at Windham is effective beginning April 16, 2008.
In making the announcement, Hospital President and CEO Dick Brvenik said that “Service here will continue seamlessly, but patients using the Emergency Department will receive a separate bill from Northeast Emergency Medicine Specialists, in addition to the Hospital bill. In the past, patients received one bill that covered both physician and facility fees. The group will participate as a network provider in all of the insurance plans that have contracts with the Hospital.” Brvenik emphasized that “Patients will continue to receive the same great care as in the past, and will benefit from the teamwork and competence of the entire Emergency Medicine staff.”
According to Dr. Gregory Shangold, Director of Emergency Services at Windham Hospital, “Northeast Emergency Medicine Specialists is composed of the same emergency physicians who have served the hospital and the community, and they are excited to continue delivering high-quality, compassionate, patient-focused emergency care for Windham Hospital patients. Many of these physicians have been here long-term—some have served nearly 17 years. This new relationship between the hospital and the emergency physicians provides a platform to not only continue the current high standards, but attract and retain highly qualified emergency physicians to serve the community. As a result of this transition, NEMS successfully recruited two new emergency physicians—Bang Chau, MD, and Mark Dziedzic, MD, who will begin their duties here in July. This change is most welcome, and we look forward to many years of service to our community.” |