UT, ProMedica sign health education, research partnership agreement

May 18, 2010 | News, UToday
By Jon Strunk



The University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System agreed to a historic new partnership to advance health education and research for both organizations following a unanimous vote by UT’s Board of Trustees at its May 17 meeting. ProMedica’s board approved the agreement last week.

UT President Lloyd Jacobs, left, shook hands with Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer for ProMedica, after the two signed an agreement for the University and ProMedica Health System to become partners.

UT President Lloyd Jacobs, left, shook hands with Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer for ProMedica, after the two signed an agreement for the University and ProMedica Health System to become partners.

As a result of this agreement, UT will manage and oversee academic endeavors across the ProMedica system under the guidance of a new joint Academic Health Center Board comprised of equal representation from ProMedica and the University.

“The real work lies ahead of us,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, UT Health Science Campus provost, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “Both institutions will benefit greatly from this, but northwest Ohio is going to be changed forever because of this.”

ProMedica President and CEO Randy Oostra echoed Gold’s comments.

“This is a very exciting day,” Oostra said. “It’s a very natural partnership. It’s a partnership that is going to present great opportunities.”

Included as part of this academic partnership is collaboration with respect to ProMedica research and residency programs (including the Family Practice Residency Program at Toledo Hospital and Flower Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, Jobst Vascular Surgery Residency, and the Toledo Hospital Primary Care Sports Medicine Residency), as well as fellowship, clerkship, nursing, pharmacy, allied health and continuing education. Additionally, the University will provide administrative assistance in helping facilitate more clinical research conducted at ProMedica.

“This partnership will help keep doctors in this community,” said Olivia Summons, UT board chair. “We are very grateful and are indebted to all of you who helped make this happen.”

“This will significantly change our community for the better,” said Dr. Lee Hammerling, chief medical officer for ProMedica.

UT and ProMedica also unveiled a messaging program that will help tell the story of the partnership to the community; this includes a website at www.betterfuturetogether.org.

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