Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., has partnered with Cleveland Clinic to improve access to orthopedics and neurosciences, among other specialties, ABC affiliate 4029 News reported April 25.
A recent study has shown that specialty care equating to more than $900 million a year leaves Northwest Arkansas, and this partnership aims to keep patients from traveling out of the region for certain specialty services, Washington Regional Medical Center CEO Larry Shackelford told the news outlet.
"Even though we have great care, sometimes technology, or the super sub-specialties, sometimes just aren't available in our market," he said. "This really does have the opportunity to transform our current health system."
The partnership will bring more specialty technology and physicians to the region and develop Centers of Excellence for certain specialties. Cancer care and behavioral health are also focal points of the affiliation, according to the report.