Jones Memorial Hospital, Noyes Health Join UR Medicine

 After nearly a year of planning, Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville and Noyes Health in Dansville will officially join UR Medicine.  The affiliations have been approved by each organization’s board, and leaders from UR Medicine will join the leadership, staff and physicians at Jones Memorial at 9:30 a.m. and Noyes Health at 12:00 noon to celebrate the announcement.

The affiliations expand UR Medicine’s network to five hospitals, including Strong Memorial, Highland Hospital, and Thompson Health.  UR Medicine also has been working with the leadership of St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell to preserve its inpatient services and to obtain State funding to establish a new facility that would emphasize outpatient services but would also provide 15 inpatient beds, for patients with more complex needs. 

The regional effort involving Jones, Noyes, and St. James Mercy hospitals, working collaboratively with each other and in partnership with UR Medicine, is aimed at strengthening health care services for patients across the Southern Tier. The institutions currently collaborate to bring UR Medicine specialists such as medical oncologists, cardiologists, neurosurgeons and others to all three communities.  Two weeks ago, construction began on the new Ann and Carl Myers Cancer Center in Dansville, part of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, that will serve as a hub for oncology services across the Southern Tier.

“The changes taking place in America’s health care system have significant implications for rural hospitals and the communities they serve,” said University of Rochester President Joel Seligman.  “The regional approach of UR Medicine ensures that these hospitals remain the cornerstone of local health care and also an economic anchor for their communities.”

The boards of Jones and Noyes voted unanimously in favor of their hospitals’ respective affiliations with UR Medicine.

 “These collaborations will allow us to strengthen health care services and make those services more easily accessible to patients who live in these communities,” said Mark Taubman, M.D., CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and UR Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Everyone’s boat rises when we can expand the capabilities of local health care providers and reverse the need for many patients to travel to Rochester.”

 “Our overall goal is to provide services that will allow our patients to stay in their own community, close to their families and support systems, whenever possible,” said Eva Benedict, CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital. “It was clear from the start that UR Medicine’s goals in that regard are tightly aligned with our own.” 

Amy Pollard, president and CEO of Noyes Health, cited the swiftly changing health care landscape and the need to collaborate to ensure sustainability. “Our affiliation with UR Medicine will help us to create a model that produces the highest quality care for our communities and makes it sustainable for generations.  This work we’re doing today will improve health care for our children’s children.”

Shawn Hogan, Mayor of Hornell and a board member of St. James Mercy Hospital, congratulated Jones and Noyes and noted that “UR Medicine has been working with St. James’ leadership and board on many levels, both operational and financial.  I’m optimistic that those efforts, and our efforts to secure funding from the State of New York, will make possible a similar affiliation between St. James and UR Medicine.”

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Jones Memorial Hospital is a 70-bed full-service, acute-care community hospital located in southwestern New York state. It provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient hospital services along with an extensive primary and specialty care provider network, with locations in Bolivar, Belmont, Hornell and Wellsville. Fully accredited by the Joint Commission, Jones Memorial serves all of Allegany County as well as western Steuben County and northern Potter County, Pa. Find out more at www.jmhny.org.

Noyes Health is a diverse and comprehensive health care system which includes Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital, a 67-bed facility in Dansville, Noyes Health Services in Geneseo, Noyes Kidney and Dialysis Center in Geneseo, and Noyes Mental Health Services in Dansville. Noyes Health is accredited by the Joint Commission and serves all of Livingston County and parts of Steuben, Allegany and Ontario counties. For more information, visit www.noyes-health.org.

UR Medicine is the University of Rochester’s health care network. It includes the 830-bed Strong Memorial Hospital and its inpatient and outpatient components such as Golisano Children’s Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Center, and Flaum Eye Institute, as well as the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group, Highland Hospital, Thompson Health, Eastman Dental, The Highlands at Brighton, The Highlands Living Center, Visiting Nurse Service, and a range of clinical programs serving patients across western New York. Visit https://www.urmedicine.org/.

Reaction from Local Legislators

“I care about ensuring access to quality care close to home. As this project moves forward, it will help ensure that patients and their families get the care they need and keeps the doors of our local healthcare facilities open. It's only fair we do everything we can to further those goals and I'm glad we can celebrate today's success.”  U.S. Rep. Tom Reed

“The partnership between Noyes Health and University of Rochester Medical Center is welcome news for healthcare in Livingston County. URMC is a leader in innovative medicine and will be a tremendous partner to continue the great care Noyes Health is known for. I look forward to working with Noyes Health and URMC as we continue to strengthen rural healthcare and provide 21st century care to the community.”  U.S. Rep. Chris Collins

“I am encouraged by the affiliations being announced between UR Medicine and two vital healthcare providers within my district. Jones Memorial Hospital and Noyes Health both face the challenges inherent to rural areas as they serve their patients. Developing innovative relationships and new solutions is critical to providing quality healthcare in the future. I look forward to the cost savings and increased access to high-quality healthcare services through these affiliations with UR Medicine.”

N.Y. Sen. Catharine Young

“Formalizing the long-standing relationship between UR Medicine and Noyes Health is a logical next step for our community. Given the rapid changes in healthcare today, this affiliation will help strengthen medical services for patients throughout the area while also providing for more efficient use of resources. The synergy created by this agreement will make both institutions stronger.”   N.Y. Sen. Patrick Gallivan

“This is good news for the people of Dansville and the entire Region that UR Medicine is stepping up to the challenge of providing quality healthcare in these difficult economic times. This will be a great partnership that will strengthen the community on many levels.”  N.Y. Assemblyman Bill Nojay