Centralus Health is born from Cayuga Health, Arnot Health affiliation

ITHACA — It was on April 14, 2023 that Ithaca–based Cayuga Health and Arnot Health of Elmira announced plans to explore a collaborative relationship. Since then, both health-care organizations conducted evaluations; held extensive discussions; and gathered feedback from stakeholders including patients, staff, and community leaders. On Jan. 7, the two Southern Tier health systems 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.” Centralus Health has 6,500 employees combined and facilitates $1 billion in annual medical services; 1,800 births per year; 15,600 hospital visits annually; 86,400 emergency room visits annually; and 847,000 outpatient appointments annually.

EPIC rollout

The rollout of EPIC, an electronic health-record system, will begin in March, Centralus Health said. 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 health systems contend that the affiliation will open new opportunities for advanced, expanded health-care service offerings. “Our collaboration isn’t just about joining forces — it’s about reimagining how we can best serve our communities,” Tom LiVigne, chairman of the board of directors of Cayuga Health, said in the announcement. “This partnership is rooted in shared values, a deep commitment to local communities, and unwavering focus on delivering superior healthcare. Together, we’re ensuring better access to the critical medical services our patients need.” The combination also seeks to generate operational cost savings and optimize workforce resources. “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.” Centralus Health says it is committed to investing in capital improvements across its facilities and workforce. The partnership will expand access to a full spectrum of services, including specialized care that may have been challenging to provide independently. These services encompass emergency care, critical cardiac care, cancer care, labor and delivery, NICU, outpatient care, behavioral health, substance use rehabilitation, long-term care, home nursing, durable medical equipment, and emergency transportation. “We are excited about the opportunities this partnership creates to deliver even more value to our communities,” said Jan van den Blink, chairman of the board of directors of Arnot Health. “The combined strengths and complementary expertise of both organizations position Centralus Health to better meet the needs of our patients while enhancing the care we provide.”