Hermann Area District Hospital today announced it has signed an independent affiliation agreement with SSM Health Care. The affiliation is intended to bring a broader range of specialized health care services to the Hermann area, along with continuous quality improvement support and continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians and staff.

SSM Health Care specialists from SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood and St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City, Mo., currently provide neurology, oncology/hematology, ophthalmology, orthopedic and wound care clinics in Hermann.

During today’s signing ceremony, Hermann Area District Hospital President Dan McKinney said, “We appreciate all that SSM Health Care has already done for our patients, and we look forward to offering additional health care services to the Hermann area in partnership with SSM.”

Ronald J. Levy, President/CEO of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, said, “We look forward to our collaboration with the hospital’s board, physicians and staff to determine how best SSM can help Hermann expand access to convenient high-quality health care services in this community.”
 
St. Mary’s Health Center – Jefferson City President Elizabeth L. Aderholdt said, “We have enjoyed working with Hermann Area District Hospital for many years. This affiliation provides us the opportunity to take our relationship to a new level to continue to enhance the health of the communities we both serve.”

About Hermann Area District Hospital
Hermann Area District Hospital of Hermann, Mo., is a critical access hospital. Beginning in 2007, the hospital will be making renovations that include expanding its outpatient clinics and adding new patient rooms. Hermann Area District Hospital provides quality health care and wellness services to all persons seeking treatment.

About SSM Health Care – St. Louis
With seven hospitals, nearly 2,000 staff physicians and more than 10,000 employees, SSM Health Care-St. Louis is committed to serving the comprehensive health needs of St. Louis area residents.  Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network includes: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center; SSM DePaul Health Center; SSM St. Joseph Health Center (St. Charles); SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville; SSM St. Joseph Hospital West (Lake Saint Louis); SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood; SSM St. Mary’s Health Center and SSM Rehab. The health care network also includes three medical groups: SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group, SSM Medical Group and SSM DePaul Medical Group. Its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St. Louis, in 2002 became the first health care recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The system owns, operates and manages hospitals and nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

About St. Mary’s Health Center
With a legacy of more than a century of exceptional care, St. Mary’s Health Care Center in Jefferson City, Mo., is mid-Missouri’s premier health care provider. St. Mary’s, a member of SSM Health Care, has 167 beds, extensive cardiology and open-heart surgery, a maternal and child care center, a comprehensive oncology center, and a network of primary care clinics serving a nine-county area.