GRAND RAPIDS and SOUTHFIELD – Whatever regulatory red tape officials were facing in the merger between Beaumont Health and Spectrum health has apparently been unspooled.
Officials from the two systems announced Monday they will launch their combined health stystem Tuesday, Feb. 1. The merger, in the works since they announced it back in June, makes the new system – temporarily named BHSH System – the state’s largest employer.
Both organizations have provided the applicable regulatory agencies with all requested information and may now proceed to launch their new health system, officials said in announcing the launch in a press release Monday.
Both organizations expressed “deep gratitude” for the ongoing efforts of physicians, nurses and all of the team members who “continue to care for each other and their communities after nearly two years of the pandemic.”
“We are grateful for all of our physicians, nurses and team members. Their compassion, expertise and dedication have saved many lives during this pandemic,” Tina Freese Decker, President & CEO of Spectrum Health, and future BHSH System President & CEO, said. “As we launch our new health system, we have a bold goal to transform health and are thrilled to unite our two great organizations. Together, we will leverage our complementary strengths to innovate and make a positive impact for our communities and their health.
“We look forward to working with our physicians, team members, patients, health plan members and partners across our state to provide health care and coverage that is accessible, affordable, equitable and exceptional,” she added.
Julie Fream, the Beaumont Health Board Chair who will serve as incoming BHSH System Board Chair, said the group’s focus is to “continue to provide excellent health care and coverage in our communities.”
“We look forward to continuing to partner with our patients, team members and health plan members as we build a new organization designed to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
The merger makes BHSH the state’s largest employer with some 64,000 employees. That moves them ahead of both General Motors (some 48,000) and Ford Motor (roughly 47,000).
BHSH will conduct internal and national searches to fill the open and interim roles, including the national search underway for the president of BHSH Beaumont Health. As announced last year, John Fox, Beaumont Health’s current president, plans to leave the organization. His last day will be Feb. 4.
“I am very proud of our Beaumont team members for their many accomplishments, and I’m especially proud of the compassionate, extraordinary care they have provided for our patients throughout this long pandemic,” Fox said. “I’m confident BHSH System will become one of the best health care systems in the nation.”
Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health also announced the board of directors and system leadership team for the new combined health system.
The BHSH System board of directors includes seven members appointed from Beaumont Health and seven members appointed from Spectrum Health. Tina Freese Decker, incoming President & CEO of BHSH System, will also serve on the board, as well as an additional board member who will be named later this year. Members of the new board include:
- Christopher Carpenter, MD
- Mark Davidoff
- Doug DeVos
- Julie Fream, Chair
- Tina Freese Decker, President & CEO
- Marija Grahovac, MD
- Ronald Hall
- Angel Hernandez, MD
- Philomena Mantella, PhD
- Timothy O’Brien
- William Payne
- Robert Roth
- Thomas Saeli
- Michael Todman
- Sean Welsh, Vice Chair
