Upstate Medical University Seeks Approval to Acquire Crouse Health

Building on Collective Strengths: Two Respected Community Organizations Coming Together

Crouse Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University jointly announced today their intention to bring the two healthcare systems together to enhance care delivery to Central New Yorkers. Under the proposed combination, Upstate Medical University will acquire the operations of Crouse Hospital, which will become part of the Upstate Medical University Health System.

The proposed combination will include all of Crouse Hospitals’ inpatient and outpatient services. Crouse Hospital will become part of Upstate University Hospital and the Crouse campus will be branded as Upstate Crouse Hospital. Crouse Medical Practice will remain intact and will be branded as Upstate Crouse Medical Practice.

Upstate and Crouse believe that the combined organization would generate new career opportunities in the region. No staff reductions are anticipated as a result of the transaction. It is anticipated that union employees at each hospital will continue to be represented by their current respective unions.

By coming together, Upstate and Crouse propose to create a coordinated, highly integrated system with the objective of improving quality of care, and increasing access to care for the communities we serve. The combination will create a system with more than 13,000 employees, 1,200 licensed inpatient hospital beds and offer more than 70 specialties. It will markedly increase clinical training opportunities for tomorrow’s healthcare providers studying in the College of Medicine, College of Health Professions and two complementary Schools of Nursing.

Over the years, Crouse and Upstate leadership have engaged in thoughtful review of potential options for the institutions to more closely align in ways that improve care for the community and region, while preserving each organization’s clinical and educational missions. Upstate Medical University (including Upstate University Hospital) and Crouse Health have a history of collaborating, to the extent feasible, to serve the Central New York region. During the pandemic, Upstate and Crouse worked collaboratively to meet the challenges created by COVID-19.

“There has been a natural progression in our relationship over the years. Between the two organizations, there are many clinical services that complement each other. Formalizing the relationship with Crouse—and making it a key component of our University Hospital system—would allow these services to flourish,” states Robert Corona, DO, CEO of Upstate University Hospital.

“Our Board has always focused on the best way to meet community health needs and this joining of two highly-regarded institutions committed to Central New York will help ensure the quality care our communities deserve,” said Patrick A. Mannion, Crouse Health Board Chair.

“Discussions between Crouse and Upstate have always revolved around creating the best environment possible for patients, medical professionals and dedicated staff. The Board determined that integration with a local partner was the best option for Crouse, and given our history, Upstate was the preferred choice, one that the community will embrace,” Mannion said.

The cultures at the two institutions have evolved in recent years, becoming similar in many ways, said Kimberly Boynton, CEO of Crouse Health. “In fact, the two cultures are more aligned now than they have ever been. Both organizations believe in mutual trust, respect, strong leadership and a shared commitment to providing the best in patient care.”

“Our combined expertise will enable us to deliver high quality, seamless patient care for Central New York and preserve jobs as we continue to benefit the economic health of the region,” said Mantosh Dewan, MD, president of Upstate. “Building upon our combined strengths will be a significant step in shaping the future growth of the region’s only academic medical center as we expand educational and training opportunities for the medical professionals of tomorrow. Moving forward, our exceptional medical staffs will continue to provide great value to our community as we work together to enhance patient care for our region.”

Both institutions are currently engaged in obtaining regulatory approvals, including a Certificate of Need from the New York State Department of Health, which is expected to take several months. During this time, the two institutions will remain independent and our respective focus will continue to be on patients, employees, medical staff, faculty and students.

About Crouse Health
Serving the community since 1887, Crouse Health is a leading regional healthcare provider and a top 10 employer in Central New York, with 3,200 employees and a medical staff of over 900 physicians. Crouse Medical Practice includes primary and specialty care at multiple sites throughout the area. Crouse delivers 3,800 babies annually, and is the regional referral center for high-risk obstetrics and neonatal intensive care services (NICU). Other areas of specialty include comprehensive diagnostic and interventional cardiac care (Crouse is home to CNY’s only pediatric cardiac catheterization program); internal medicine; surgical services (including the latest advancements in robotic surgery); neurosciences/stroke care (Crouse is a state-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center); and addiction treatment services. Crouse also operates the Pomeroy College of Nursing, providing critical nursing education to more than 300 students annually.

About SUNY Upstate Medical University
The region’s largest employer with nearly 11,000 employees, Upstate Medical University is the only academic medical center in Central New York, serving the state from Canada to Pennsylvania. A highlight of Upstate’s leading role in the region is its ability to ensure access to vital one-of-a-kind services, such as burn and trauma care, a state-designation Comprehensive Stroke Center, and an array of highly specialized cancer and neurosurgical and pediatric services through its 715-bed Upstate University Hospital, which includes Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. In addition to its clinical mission, Upstate, which is part of the State University of New York system, enrolls 1,600 students and offers degrees in medicine, nursing and a variety of health professions, and conducts more than $40 million in funded research annually.