Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Seattle Children's expand pediatric, neonatal partnership
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and Seattle Children's announced Tuesday they have expanded their longstanding partnership to enhance pediatric and mother-baby health care services across the Puget Sound region.
The new strategic affiliation builds on nearly 15 years of collaboration between the two organizations and aims to improve access to expert physicians, specialized care teams, and seamless coordination for families, according to a joint statement.
Access to high-quality health care remains a significant challenge in the Puget Sound region, VMFH and Seattle Children's noted.
By joining resources and leveraging their combined network of care sites, both groups say they hope to bring advanced medical services closer to home for more patients.
'This affiliation marks a significant step forward in our mission to improve health care access for mothers, babies and children,' said Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and President of CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region. 'Seattle Children's is a globally recognized leader in pediatric medicine, and we're honored to work alongside them to further elevate the standard of care in our communities.'
Seattle Children's consistently ranks among the top ten children's hospitals in the United States, while VMFH hospitals are also nationally recognized for quality care.
Their partnership has already brought neonatologists to VMFH Family Birth Centers, offering 24/7 onsite and remote support to care for the region's most vulnerable newborns without the need to transfer them to different facilities.
The collaboration has also connected patients at VMFH's St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma to Seattle Children's pediatric cardiologists and infection prevention teams, allowing for on-site assessments of complex maternal and newborn conditions.
Jeff Sperring, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Children's, said the expanded affiliation aligns with the hospital's broader mission. 'We are proud of our long-standing reputation for excellence in pediatric and neonatal care,' Sperring said. 'Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is a recognized leader in quality care and clinical excellence, and we're excited to work together to continue fulfilling our vision of helping every child live their healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.'
As part of the expanded affiliation, perinatal, neonatal, and specialty services will grow across VMFH Birth Centers located in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties.
The goal is to support thousands of families while minimizing the separation of mothers and their newborns after delivery.
The partnership will also focus on improving access to pediatric specialists across VMFH's nearly 300 care sites, strengthening connections between primary, specialty, ambulatory, and urgent care services.
Officials said this effort will ensure children can get the right care at the right time, with seamless referrals to Seattle Children's specialists when needed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
17 hours ago
- Washington Post
Video shows dolphin calf birth and first breath at Chicago zoo. Mom's friend helped
CHICAGO — A bottlenose dolphin at a Chicago zoo gave birth to a calf early Saturday morning with the help of a fellow mom, in a successful birth recorded on video by zoo staff. The dolphin calf was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago early Saturday morning as a team of veterinarians monitored and cheered on the mom, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Allie. 'Push, push, push,' one observer can be heard shouting in video released by the zoo Saturday, as Allie swims around the tank, the calf's little tail fins poking out below her own. Then the calf wriggles free and instinctively darts to the surface of the pool for its first breath. Also in the tank was an experienced mother dolphin named Tapeko, 43, who stayed close to Allie through her more than one hour of labor. In the video, she can be seen following the calf as it heads to the surface, and staying with it as it takes that first breath. It is natural for dolphins to look out for each other during a birth, zoo staff said. 'That's very common both in free-ranging settings but also in aquaria,' said Brookfield Zoo Chicago Senior Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Langan in a video statement. 'It provides the mom extra protection and a little bit of extra help to help get the calf to the surface to help it breath in those couple minutes where she's still having really strong contractions.' In a written statement, zoo officials said early signs indicate that the calf is in good health. They estimate it weighs around 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and stretches nearly four feet in length (115-120 centimeters). That is about the weight and length of an adult golden retriever dog. The zoo's Seven Seas exhibit will be closed as the calf bonds with its mother and acclimates with other dolphins in its group. As part of that bonding, the calf has already learned to slipstream, or draft alongside its mother so that it doesn't have to work as hard to move. Veterinarians will monitor progress in nursing, swimming and other milestones particularly closely over the next 30 days. The calf will eventually take a paternity test to see which of the male dolphins at the zoo is its father. Zoo officials say they will name the calf later this summer.
Associated Press
18 hours ago
- Associated Press
Video shows dolphin calf birth and first breath at Chicago zoo. Mom's friend helped
CHICAGO (AP) — A bottlenose dolphin at a Chicago zoo gave birth to a calf early Saturday morning with the help of a fellow mom, in a successful birth recorded on video by zoo staff. The dolphin calf was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago early Saturday morning as a team of veterinarians monitored and cheered on the mom, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Allie. 'Push, push, push,' one observer can be heard shouting in video released by the zoo Saturday, as Allie swims around the tank, the calf's little tail fins poking out below her own. Then the calf wriggles free and instinctively darts to the surface of the pool for its first breath. Also in the tank was an experienced mother dolphin named Tapeko, 43, who stayed close to Allie through her more than one hour of labor. In the video, she can be seen following the calf as it heads to the surface, and staying with it as it takes that first breath. It is natural for dolphins to look out for each other during a birth, zoo staff said. 'That's very common both in free-ranging settings but also in aquaria,' said Brookfield Zoo Chicago Senior Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Langan in a video statement. 'It provides the mom extra protection and a little bit of extra help to help get the calf to the surface to help it breath in those couple minutes where she's still having really strong contractions.' In a written statement, zoo officials said early signs indicate that the calf is in good health. They estimate it weighs around 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and stretches nearly four feet in length (115-120 centimeters). That is about the weight and length of an adult golden retriever dog. The zoo's Seven Seas exhibit will be closed as the calf bonds with its mother and acclimates with other dolphins in its group. As part of that bonding, the calf has already learned to slipstream, or draft alongside its mother so that it doesn't have to work as hard to move. Veterinarians will monitor progress in nursing, swimming and other milestones particularly closely over the next 30 days. The calf will eventually take a paternity test to see which of the male dolphins at the zoo is its father. Zoo officials say they will name the calf later this summer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health files notice of layoffs including in Tacoma
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is eliminating more than 100 jobs systemwide, including in Tacoma, tied to virtual-care services. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed Thursday, the layoffs will commence July 28, affecting 116 workers. A VMFH media representative told The News Tribune via email that the layoffs are across the health care system, and 'not limited to Tacoma.' Chad Melton is Interim president, Puget Sound Market, for VMFH. In a statement, Melton said the cuts were part of 'critical but necessary steps to remain financially sustainable so we can continue delivering high-quality care to the communities we serve.' 'This includes transitioning several virtual services and administrative functions, which will impact approximately 200 team members. Affected employees have been notified and are receiving personalized support, including placement assistance and access to open roles within our organization.' Melton noted that VMFH, 'like health care systems across the country,' is facing significant financial pressures 'including rising labor and supply costs, increasing claim denials and chronic underpayment from government programs.' 'These challenges have only intensified in Washington state, where a new budget introduces new taxes that directly affect hospitals and reduces reimbursement, most notably by capping payments for care provided to state and school employees. These changes are expected to cost VMFH an additional $30 million each year.' Melton said that the system as a result was 'realigning resources and improving operational efficiency.' 'These are difficult and necessary decisions to ensure we can continue meeting the needs of our patients — today and into the future,' he added. No further details were available Thursday night.
