Physicians Play Key Role in New Joint Venture Hospital

But, he adds, that perhaps most importantly, both Methodist and Nueterra understand that the hospital's success is dependent upon strong physician leadership—and the joint venture structure incorporates that idea.

Physician partners significantly contributed to the design, look, and feel of the hospital, and the participation by physicians was a critical success factor given how in-touch the providers are with their patients and how educated the physicians are about evidence-based design principles, Jones says.

"From the architectural design to the interior color schemes to the artwork selections, the physicians and our Board of Managers were very involved in this process," he adds. "They wanted a hospital that did not look like a hospital and we succeeded in creating a truly unique patient-centered environment."