ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca–based Cayuga Health and Arnot Health of Elmira on Tuesday formally announced their new affiliation, which will now operate under the name Centralus Health.
The organizations made separate announcements about the move, both in Ithaca and in Elmira. The announcements at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca and Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira were part of the “partnership’s vision for transforming healthcare delivery across the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and Central New York Regions,” per a joint statement.
The organizations didn’t include any financial terms of their affiliation agreement.
“This partnership represents a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality care for the communities we serve,” Dr. Martin Stallone, CEO of Cayuga Health and CEO of Centralus Health, said in the announcement. “Together, we are strengthening our ability to offer a wider array of services, reach underserved populations, and invest in the future of healthcare delivery — locally. We are already planning for increased access to primary care in Chemung and Tompkins counties, while preparing for the upcoming launch of EPIC and MyChart to enhance patient care through technology.”
The rollout of EPIC, an electronic health-record system, will begin in March. EPIC’s integration across Arnot Health and Cayuga Health locations “promises enhanced patient and workforce experiences.” Additionally, MyChart, the patient portal powered by EPIC, will allow patients to manage appointments, communicate with health-care providers, and “engage more effectively” in their care, Centralus Health said.
The exploration of a collaborative relationship between Arnot Health and Cayuga Health was first announced on April 14, 2023. Since then, both organizations have conducted comprehensive evaluations, held extensive discussions, and gathered feedback from stakeholders including patients, staff, and community leaders.
“As health systems face increasing financial and workforce challenges, this partnership enables us to leverage shared resources, increase efficiencies, and ultimately lower operational costs,” Jonathan Lawrence, CEO of Arnot Health and executive VP of Centralus Health, said in the announcement. “Centralus Health will continue to focus on deepening community connections and setting a higher standard for personalized care in every service we provide.”