KishHealth System Joins Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

KishHealth System (KHS), a two-hospital integrated nonprofit health system based in DeKalb, IL, has joined Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (NMHC). The geographic footprint of NMHC dramatically expands with the addition of KHS and grows NMHC beyond Chicago’s western suburbs into rural communities. The consummation of the partnership follows a rigorous exploration by the KHS Board of its strategic options, including a process which evaluated a number of potential partners and partnership structures. KHS will further enhance NMHC’s development of a health system that brings together strong community-based provider care with the clinical innovation and research of a preeminent academic medical center.

Juniper’s Role
Juniper was engaged by the Board of KHS to assess the healthcare landscape, identify and validate the Board’s goals and objectives, evaluate KHS’s market position, and consider a range of alternative affiliation arrangements. Juniper sought market input to explore KHS’s potential opportunities, matched objectives with partner capabilities, and negotiated the terms of a strong and mutually beneficial arrangement.

KishHealth System
KHS is an integrated nonprofit health system serving communities in the greater DeKalb County area approximately 60 miles west of Chicago. The system is comprised of two nonprofit community hospitals, hospice, home health, behavioral health, a cancer center, surgicenter, and the KishHealth Physician Group, among other services. KHS is the second largest employer of DeKalb County after Northern Illinois University and is accredited by the Joint Commission.

Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
NMHC is a six-hospital academic health system whose entities operate as Northwestern Medicine. The system includes over 90 sites of care throughout greater Chicagoland and across eight Illinois counties. NMHC’s flagship hospital, located in downtown Chicago, is ranked No. 1 in Chicago and Illinois and was ranked No. 10 in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report 2014-2015 Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals. Northwestern Medicine, which is a collaboration between NMHC and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, comprises a combined workforce of more than 26,500 physicians, nurses, staff, and volunteers.

Additional Details
For additional information, please refer to the press release.