Spectrum, Beaumont Health Announce New Combined Health System

The tentative name for the new system is BHSH System and is set to launch on February 1.

Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health announced Monday that they will be merging to launch a new, combined health system "For Michigan, By Michigan^TM."

The new system, which will temporarily be referred to as BHSH System, is set to launch on February 1. BHSH System will be led by an equal number of board members from both organizations, with the current Beaumont Health board chair, Julie Fream, serving as chair of the new board.

"Now, more than ever, our communities rely on physicians, nurses, and other caregivers for essential and life saving care. As we know, healthcare is personal and local. The ability to make decisions at the local level is crucial," Fream said in a virtual news conference. "We look forward to partnering with our patients, team members, and health plan members as we build a new organization designed to improve the health of the communities we serve."

Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, will lead as president and CEO of BHSH System.

"This latest experience with delta's steady climb, and adding omicron on top of an already exhausted system has been overwhelming and at times heartbreaking," Decker said. "Our team member's never ending passion, grit, courage, and integrity everyday – even in the midst of so much trauma and burnout – demonstrates our determined commitment to providing outstanding care and coverage to all the communities we serve."

Other members of the BHSH leadership team include Jason Joseph as Chief Digital and Information Officer, Matthew Cox as Chief Financial Officer, Pamela Ries as Chief Integration Officer, and David Leonard as Chief Legal Officer.

The organization will be conducting internal and national searches to fill additional C-suite roles including Chief People Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. The organization will also be recruiting a new president of BHSH Beaumont Health, as Beaumont's Health's current president, John Fox, announced his plans to leave the organization last year. His last day will be February 4.

"I am very proud of our Beaumont team members for their many accomplishments, and I'm especially proud of the compassionate, extraordinary care they have provided for our patients throughout this long pandemic," Fox said in a statement. "I'm confident BHSH System will become one of the best health care systems in the nation.

Current Spectrum and Beaumont Health patients and health plan members will continue to have access to their same sites of care, providers, and plans. They are also encouraged to access care just as they would normally as both organizations focus on the creation of BHSH System.