By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Valley Regional Hospital has announced that it is now part of Dartmouth Health, which comes after years of the two entities collaborating in a variety of services.
“The Valley Board has been working towards this affiliation for many years,” Valley Regional Hospital Marketing and Communications Specialist Savannah Tyrrell said. “Over that past several months we have been able to obtain the regulatory approvals and affiliation was made effective on July 31. This affiliation will be seamless for our patients, and they may notice a slow transition from maroon to evergreen.”
Tyrrell said they are excited to build on the “long-standing relationship” with Dartmouth Health. She said the affiliation will allow Valley Regional to expand their collaborative efforts and enhance the services they currently provide. It will also help with adding new services, which include expanding specialty care, and including women’s health, mental health services and substance use treatment.
“With their support, resources, and collaboration we know this will bring future opportunities to strengthen rural health for our entire community,” Tyrrell said.
According to a report posted on Dartmouth-Health.org, Dartmouth Health and Valley Regional have worked together in cardiology, oncology, pathology and radiology for many years running. It said that the affiliation “enables the formal integration of its clinical, administrative and financial resources to sustain efficient, high-quality care for the rural communities served by Valley Regional and Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Care Center, an existing Dartmouth Health member.”
The agreement between Valley Regional and Dartmouth Health also helps improve access to the best technology and clinical research, as well as 2,000 of top physicians and providers in the region.
Valley Regional Hospital Interim CEO Jocelyn Caple, MD, said in the report that Valley Regional and Dartmouth Health are both committed to expanding access in the region. She added that by combining resources, they will be able to meet the needs of patients in the area best.
Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health, expressed her excitement and optimism.
“The benefit to our patients, families and rural communities will be substantial, including investments in future services and infrastructure and enhanced research opportunities to continue providing the best in innovative, cutting-edge, world-class care,” Conroy said. “Dartmouth Health is woven into the fabric of the communities we serve, and now Claremont and its surrounding communities will formally be a part of that fabric. We couldn’t be more excited about Valley Regional Hospital becoming a member of Dartmouth Health.”
