The Wilcox Health System board of directors has unanimously approved of continued talks aimed at merging with Kapi’olani Health and Straub Clinic & Hospital to create the largest provider of healthcare in the state. “It’s definitely a move-forward” vote by
The Wilcox Health System board of directors has unanimously approved of
continued talks aimed at merging with Kapi’olani Health and Straub Clinic &
Hospital to create the largest provider of healthcare in the state.
“It’s
definitely a move-forward” vote by the board, said Dave Patton, chief executive
officer of Wilcox Health System, which includes Wilcox Memorial Hospital and
the Kaua’i Medical Clinic facilities from Kilauea to ‘Ele’ele.
The board
last week approved the unanimous recommendation of its finance committee to
continue merger talks, which if successful would produce a stronger financial
base for the organizations, according to merger supporters.
More dialogue
needs to take place, including a state approval procedure for input at public
hearings on Kaua’i and O’ahu, Patton said.
Lani Yukimura, Wilcox Health
System spokeswoman, said the two Honolulu entities located just a few blocks
from each other still must meet with their respective boards and agree to
proceed with the merger as well.
Decisions by the O’ahu-based organizations
are expected before the end of this year, she said.
Staff Writer Paul
C. Curtis can be reached at [
HREF=”mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net”>pcurtis@pulitzer.net]
or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
