South Nassau Joins Mount Sinai Hospital Network

South Nassau Communities Hospital announced Wednesday morning that it would become the flagship hospital on Long Island for the Mount Sinai Health System under an agreement the two institutions signed. As part of the agreement, Mount Sinai will spend more than $100 million to improve South Nassau's facilities both in Oceanside and Long Beach.

If the affiliation is approved, South Nassau will join Mount Sinai’s $7 billion health system. The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system encompassing seven hospitals (eight with the addition of South Nassau) in New York, 300 ambulatory practices and other community locations, and more than 6,500 physicians. Mount Sinai’s Long Island footprint includes 200 physicians and other experts at 11 multidisciplinary practices.

Mount Sinai will bring its academic, clinical, and research expertise to South Nassau, extending hospital services that offer advanced medical care to “rival and surpass any of those available on Long Island,” according to a joint document outlining the transaction.

“The addition of South Nassau to our Long Island network represents our commitment to broadening access to innovative treatment and research in this region,” said Kenneth L. Davis, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System. “This transformative partnership will complement our existing network of talented clinicians and facilities. We are thrilled about what this means for patients and families on Long Island, and look forward to working closely with our Long Island partners to continue advancing care in the region.”

South Nassau’s current Board of Directors will retain governance over the day-to-day operations of the hospital. Richard Murphy, South Nassau's president and CEO, will report to the existing South Nassau board of directors and to Davis. The South Nassau board will be joined by two new members from Mount Sinai’s board, and two members of South Nassau’s board will also join the Mount Sinai board.

“Joining the Mount Sinai Health System represents a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity that will expand the delivery and availability of advanced, high-quality health care services for all Long Islanders,” Murphy said. “South Nassau and Mount Sinai have a shared vision to improve services, especially on the South Shore, which is why this affiliation makes so much sense.”

As part of the agreement, Mount Sinai will infuse a total of $120 million in capital contributions to South Nassau’s five-year master facility plan, which will help expand surgical facilities, intensive care units and South Nassau’s emergency department.

“We are in the midst of tremendous growth and expansion at South Nassau,” said Murphy. “Our plans to renovate and nearly double the size of our Emergency Department in Oceanside are already underway, as are plans for a new, four-story, high-intensity building in Oceanside, as well as expanded medical services in Long Beach. The relationship with Mount Sinai will accelerate our plans and provide essential services to patients throughout Long Island.”

The two institutions signed a nonbinding letter of intent last May and have been exploring the details of a relationship in earnest since then. Physicians and administrators from both institutions already have been working on clinical programming to enhance and expand patient care and services.

Photo: South Nassau Communities Hospital