Longstreet Clinic and Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) have executed a letter of intent to pursue a more formal alignment structure. Since Longstreet Clinic was founded more than 30 years ago, the two organizations have a long history of strategic partnerships that include development of:
- Neonatal intensive care units at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville and NGMC Braselton
- Oncology services, including dedicated cancer treatment centers in Braselton and Toccoa
- A shared health information platform, called Epic, which includes a shared medical record system, online patient portal and more
- HP2 – a clinically integrated network that includes Longstreet Clinic, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Georgia Heart Institute and other independent practices across the region – to pursue performance-based contracts with insurance companies and improve outcomes while reducing costs for all.
“NGHS and Longstreet Clinic have a rich tradition of providing care across this region for generations. We share so much in common beyond geography and patients – a commitment to quality, focus on safety, a track record of innovation and more,” said Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “Aligning more closely together would further strengthen health care for the communities we both serve and unlock more opportunities for success.”
The letter of intent provides an outline of a potential alignment structure as well as a framework to perform due diligence over the next several months.
“As one of the largest independent medical groups owned and managed by physicians in the state of Georgia, we are keenly aware of the unique challenges independent groups face in the modern healthcare industry,” says Robert Richard, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon and president & chairman of Longstreet Clinic. “Exploring a deeper operational alignment with a strong regional partner will create opportunities for both organizations to improve care collaboration between providers, enhance quality of care and provide a more seamless patient experience.”
A target timeframe for a definitive agreement is spring 2025.
About Longstreet Clinic
For three decades, Longstreet Clinic has provided high quality, comprehensive care for families. Longstreet Clinic is a private, multi-specialty medical group with office locations in nine northeast Georgia cities. The Clinic employs over 800 people, including more than 200 physicians and advanced practice providers who represent 20 medical specialties giving patients access to the latest technologies and advanced treatment options so they can enjoy healthier lives. Longstreet Clinic is consistently recognized by the community and healthcare industry for its multispecialty approach to high quality care and innovation. Learn more at www.longstreetclinic.com.
About Northeast Georgia Health System
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest – with a total of more than 960 beds and more than 1,400 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties.
NGHS also includes a robust employed physician enterprise including Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) and Georgia Heart Institute. NGPG brings together over 700 talented physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives and other clinical staff spanning more than 40 specialties at more than 50 locations across the region. Georgia Heart Institute is the most forward-thinking heart and vascular program in the state with more than 120 cardiologists, heart surgeons, vascular surgeons and other clinicians seeing patients at more than a dozen locations.