Lifespan and Care New England have moved to the next step in their affiliation process, thanks to votes by their respective boards.

Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr., board chair of Lifespan, and Charles R. Reppucci, board chair for Care New England, announced that both boards voted last night to move forward with a letter of intent to merge Lifespan and Care New England into a single entity.

The combined system would create a Rhode Island based, nonprofit academic medical center with Brown University. The new system would include seven hospitals offering a full complement of specialty, women’s and children’s, and behavioral health, and visiting nurse services, research, and education. More than 23,500 employees would serve the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern New England, from prenatal care and delivery to elder care.  The two organizations had collaborated on several initiatives related to the current pandemic. In early June, they announced their intent to study a more formal partnership.

“This affiliation will help build an even stronger future for our organizations while maintaining a strong commitment to Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, sharing additional details about our vision for health care delivery as we begin the regulatory process,” said Charles R. Reppucci.

“By combining the talent, experience and resources of our two organizations, we can create a national model that fully leverages the integration and coordination of care. In doing so, we are better equipped to meet market challenges and mandates to improve outcomes while reducing health care costs,” said Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr.

“By working together, Lifespan, Care New England, and Brown University can create a fully integrated academic healthcare system for the people of Rhode Island,” said Lifespan president and CEO Timothy J. Babineau, M.D. “Combining our investment in our physicians, clinical staff, researchers, technology and other health care staff will greatly help us continue to fulfill our mission of providing world-class health care to our patients, advancing medical discoveries and serving as a vital economic engine for our state.” 

“After careful consideration, there is clear recognition of the value of a more formal relationship. Overall benefit, regarding the capabilities and reach of what is possible for the health care of our local communities, has been defined with a clear, high-level vision of what could be possible,” said Care New England President and CEO James E. Fanale, M.D.

“A unified academic medical center with Brown University, Lifespan, and Care New England has always been the best solution for health care in Rhode Island,” said Christina H. Paxson, president of Brown University. “I could not be more thrilled with this announcement. Capitalizing on the complementary strengths of our health care institutions with Brown University will make it possible to provide high-quality low-cost health care, attract and retain the best physicians, and grow our research enterprise while powering the Rhode Island economy.”

Kathleen Hart

Director, Public Relations
401-444-7299
[email protected]