UnityPoint Health Peoria and Pekin’s Progressive Health Systems are negotiating terms of an affiliation. The two organizations have a letter intent that means the parties have entered exclusive negotiations to finalize an affiliation agreement by year’s end.
Debbie Simon is the CEO of UnityPoint Health - Peoria. She says
they are committed to investing in the Pekin Community, including maintaining a Pekin Board. Progressive Health Systems CEO Bob Haley and Simon, agree there are many details about the affiliation still to be worked out.
But Haley says the Pekin medical and support staff will remain in place.
“We will maintain our various medical staff committees and the employees job descriptions and everything else at this point remain the same.”
Haley says Progressive Health Systems, that includes Pekin Hospital and ProHealth Medical Group, wanted to make this choice in a proactive fashion. He says UnityPoint Health-Peoria best aligns with Pekin Hospital's more than 100 year legacy of care.
He says after looking at a number of opportunities UnityPoint Health was the best fit for maintaining and growing the values and mission of the Pekin System.
“We think that this is going to be a great opportunity, that together we are going to be able to do things that we would not be able to do separately.”
The agreement also requires state regulatory approval.