Health Quest to Take Over Sharon Hospital in CT

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Health Quest has entered into an agreement with Essent Healthcare of Connecticut to take over Sharon Hospital.

Sharon Hospital, a 78-bed facility in Sharon, CT, transitioned to a for-profit institution in 2002. If the takeover deal comes to fruition it would revert to nonprofit status under the Health Quest umbrella.

Peter Cordeau, CEO of Sharon Hospital, said the deal offers tremendous benefits to his patients.

“They will now have seamless access to a full spectrum of services—from expert oncology and cardiology care to innovative neurology services and trained trauma surgeons,” he said. “This means more options and reasons for patients to come to and stay connected with Sharon.”

Cordeau said it also means growth opportunities for his organization.

Robert Friedberg, president of Health Quest, said Sharon Hospital shares a cultural fit and strategic vision with his organization.

“Eastern Dutchess and western Connecticut residents will see imporoved qulaity through better coordination of care and improved access to teh specialists within our excellent medical staff and an integrated electronic medical record system,” he said.

Health Quest includes Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

The Health Quest Medical Practice has more than 265 providers covering Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties.

A spokesman for the Health Quest said it has a preliminary agreement with Essent Healthcare of Connecticut and will submit a certificate of need to the State of Connecticut for change in ownership.

Photo credit: Health Quest.