One day after Carolinas HealthCare rechristened itself as Atrium Health, the system announced that it is in talks with Macon, Georgia-based Navicent Health about what it is calling a "strategic combination."

Atrium is also working toward establishing a Joint Operating Company with UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The plan was announced last summer. The deal would create one of the largest health systems in the country, employing 90,000 people and managing 60 hospitals.

By combining with 970-bed Navicent, Atrium gains a tertiary teaching facility, a children’s hospital, two rural providers, diagnostic and home care services, and philanthropic Navicent Health Foundation.  

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Atrium, a 35-hospital system, which serves North and South Carolina, said that changing its name removes barriers limiting it to that specific geographical region. 

“Atrium Health allows us to do that and exemplifies our long-standing commitment to what everyone deserves – compassionate, world-class care,” Atrium said in a statement. “Our name may be changing, but the heart of who we are remains the same.” 

Atrium Health has a reputation for being ahead of the curve when it comes to healthcare IT, having been the first organization in North and South Carolina to achieve HIMSS Stage 7 certification in both acute and ambulatory environments, signifying the highest levels of EHR adoption.

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Atrium Health’s Senior Vice President and CIO Craig Richardville was named the 2015 John E. Gall, Jr. CIO of the Year by CHIME and HIMSS, which give the award jointly each year.

The associations highlighted Richardville’s pursuit of an aggressive and effective approach to employing technology to help provide better care, his initiatives in advancing innovative technologies for patient care, virtual visits and patient engagement.

Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com