"Under this agreement Unity seeks to expand and enhance its services to patients, health plans and employers in the greater Muscatine area," said Karmon Bjella, president and chief executive officer.

"The agreement underscores University of Iowa Health Care's support of patient care, teaching and research of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine," said Donna Katen-Bahensky, senior associate vice president for medical affairs and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics. She went on to say: "Our missions are enhanced through these collaborative initiatives with community physicians, hospitals and health systems in Iowa and surrounding areas."

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, Unity HealthCare and University of Iowa Health Care will share decision-making in select areas of collaboration while remaining independent, self-governing entities. This agreement does not preclude either party from developing relationships with any other organization nor does it include control or ownership by either organization over the other.

Existing services between the organizations include a diagnostic sleep lab at the Unity campus and a University-based cardiologist who provides on-site cardiac services for Unity patients. Other collaborations include Unity physicians serving as adjunct professors and clinical lecturers for medical students and residents. The agreement calls for expanded service lines, enhanced medical education and clinical research linkages, and focused efforts in shared areas of interest, such as health care quality.

In the area of corporate relations, Unity HealthCare and University of Iowa Health Care are collaborating on a joint service to meet the changing American workforce. "Among major benefits of collaboration are ease of access by patients into either system, and the ability to quickly respond to requests from area employers and health plans to develop and offer a more integrated and cost-efficient approach to service delivery," said Rhea Allen, MD, vice president of Medical Affairs at Unity. The program was launched as a pilot program under the name Corporate Gold Program. It is expected to be offered to business and industry within the year.

Bjella and Katen-Bahensky stated that the strategic affiliation is based on the compatibility of philosophy, mission and values of their respective health organizations.

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