CentraState Healthcare System To Join Atlantic Health System

FREEHOLD, NJ - One of the Garden State's last independent hospitals is set to join the Atlantic Health System network of care following state and federal approval, according to a news release from the two healthcare groups announcing the move.

While Atlantic Health will be a 51% majority owner in the new merger, officials at CentraState will continue to guide the hospital’s future, according to President and CEO of CentraState Healthcare System John T. Gribbin.

Freehold-based CentraState Healthcare System will be receiving $135 million in investments from Atlantic Health over the next five years to improve technology and infrastructure, strengthen integrated clinical services, expand its physician network. The new model for partnership will provide CentraState with "significant resources" to support its community focus.

“We are excited to deliver our shared mission of advancing the health of our communities, and confident this innovative partnership positions both organizations for continued success and growth,” Gribbin said.

According to the release, one of the first steps the two organizations will take will be implementing the Epic electronic health record (EHR) platform across CentraState Healthcare System, starting at the physician network level before extending throughout the system. Once the transition is complete, CentraState will join Atlantic Health System on Epic, allowing physicians and patients the opportunity to share information throughout the network.

"With this newly expanded partnership come new opportunities for physicians in the CentraState network. Atlantic Health System will provide CentraState physicians with the opportunity to participate in its affiliated physician group practices and programs, including risk-based contracting initiatives, which have already delivered better health care results for patients and proven savings," the healthcare providers wrote in the announcement.