Johns Hopkins Inks Deal With Florida's ACH

All Children's Hospital & Health System in St. Petersburg, FL, has signed a letter of intent to join the Johns Hopkins Health System as a fully integrated member, the two systems said Tuesday.

The non-cash transaction between the two venerable not-for-profit health systems—the first of its kind for JHHS outside of the Baltimore region—is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"The integration of All Children's into Johns Hopkins Medicine creates a synergy that allows both partners to continue our mission-centric work in children's healthcare," said Gary Carnes, president/CEO of All Children's. "We believe it increases All Children's value as a key community asset, extending benefits near and beyond to the families of children in need of top-notch clinical care by adding the benefits that the world-class teaching and research opportunities of Johns Hopkins Medicine will bring."

The proposed transaction hasn't been finalized, but the plan calls for ACH to retain its voluntary medical staff and physician organizations, including those University of South Florida physicians practicing at ACH. ACH will operate under the direction of the JHHS governance structure.

"All Children's is a very attractive organization because of its robust high quality clinical programs, its strong regional brand presence, and very high quality leadership team," said Edward D. Miller, MD, dean/CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. "The full integration of ACH into JHM offers a unique opportunity to both institutions. With this integration—and as part of its historic mission—JHM can leverage the intellectual and human capital within its pediatrics programs to expand the reach and impact of its current clinical, teaching and research programs."

All Children's Hospital, which opened a one-million-square-foot, 10-story tower and adjacent outpatient building in January, will retain its name and mission, and donations made to the Hospital's Foundation will remain for the benefit of All Children's. Leadership and day-to-day operation of the 259-bed freestanding pediatric hospital and outreach facilities in eight west Florida counties won't change. Local community leaders will continue to provide oversight of All Children's as majority members of the Hospital's Board of Trustees.

"Integration with Hopkins will position us to jointly shape the future of children's healthcare in partnership with an unparalleled leader in medical research and teaching," said Claudia Sokolowski, All Children's Health System board chair. "The potential economic impact for St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay area and the state of Florida is significant and lasting. But the positive impact for children and their families will extend well beyond our geographic reach for generations to come."

JHHS' Maryland affiliates include The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Inc., Suburban Hospital, and Howard County General Hospital Inc., and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

ACH is part of the $1 billion All Children's Health System, with more than 2,800 employees on its main campus and 10 outreach centers located throughout west central Florida. The system, founded in 1926 as a hospital primarily for young polio victims, has a patient mix that is 70% Medicaid.