Huntington Hospital to Join Cedars-Sinai Health System

Huntington Hospital took another major step toward affiliating with the Cedars-Sinai Health System with the announcement Thursday that the two organizations had signed a definitive agreement to team up.

The organizations previously signed a letter of intent in March outlining their intention to bring Huntington Hospital into the Cedars-Sinai network. The definitive agreement was developed as a result of subsequent negotiations.

The agreement calls for commitments of continued investment in enterprise information technology, growth of ambulatory service and physician development, according to a statement issued by Huntington Hospital.

“It will also enable collaborations with the other entities in the Cedars-Sinai Health System to ensure access to high-quality, accessible and affordable care throughout the region, the statement said.

But the plan is not to radically change the hospital.

“The proposed affiliation is intended to build upon Huntington’s 128-year legacy, and to preserve its unique culture as a community institution governed by a local board, with its own employees and medical staff,” the statement said. “In addition, philanthropy and volunteer support will remain locally controlled and used for Huntington Hospital and its existing community.”

Huntington Hospital President and CEO Dr. Lori J. Morgan said the partnership would benefit both Huntinngton and Cedars-Sinai Health Systems.

“With our institutions’ shared focus on delivering exceptional, compassionate care to those we serve, I am confident that an affiliation with Cedars-Sinai Health System will enable Huntington Hospital to advance clinical quality and outcomes, sustain our legacy of providing outstanding patient care and maintain active engagement with all our communities,” she said.

Jaynie Studenmund, who chairs the Huntington Hospital Board of Directors, described the agreement as an “important milestone.”

“With the definitive agreement now complete, we can move forward with our joint effort to secure the necessary regulatory approvals,”” she said. “We pledge to work cooperatively with all the relevant parties and believe that this proposed affiliation is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders and the greater San Gabriel Valley community.”

Cedars-Sinai leadership also expressed optimism about the burgeoning association.

“The goal of Cedars-Sinai Health System is to strengthen access to and affordability of quality care for more Southern Californians through the sharing of resources and expertise among our facilities,” Cedars-Sinai Health System Board of Directors Chair Vera Guerin said. “The addition of Huntington Hospital, with its strong commitment to serving the community and the quality of its physicians, nurses and other staff, would further strengthen the ability to provide this for the region.”

Founded in 2017, Cedars-Sinai Health System is a collaboration of health care providers working in collaboration to share both resources and expertise, according to the Huntington Hospital statement.

It currently includes Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cesars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, and their network of doctors throughout the Southland, as well as Torrance Memorial Medical Center and joint ventures like the California Rehabilitation Institute and Cesars-Sinai Providence Tarzana Medical Center.

The definitive agreement must now be reviewed and approved by government regulators in a process that could take several months, officials said.