Norfolk, Va. (June 28, 2007) - Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center and Park Place Medical Center announced today the development of a partnership where the two health care providers will collaborate to improve the care provided to the community’s uninsured and underinsured.   By early August, up to 1,200 Bon Secours DePaul Clinic patients will begin transitioning to a new medical home at Park Place Medical Center Inc., located at 3415 Granby Street, Norfolk, just a few blocks from Bon Secours DePaul. 

 “A shared commitment of providing compassionate, ongoing quality care to the underserved inspired Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center to form an expanded partnership with Park Place Medical Center,” said Daniel S. Duggan, Bon Secours DePaul’s executive vice president/administrator.        

The Bon Secours DePaul/Park Place agreement creates an environment where patients will have a medical home and receive a full range of services associated with primary care.  The medical center setting is more responsive to patient needs and will offer better access through extended hours.  Bon Secours will make financial and/or in-kind donations to Park Place that will include equipment, services and/or cash assistance for patient administration support, clinical staffing, case management and patient outreach.   

Services at Park Place Medical Center include treatment of chronic diseases, preventive care, medication assistance, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.  The new care model is designed to help patients establish a long-term relationship with their health care providers, and receive better continuity of care. 

The Bon Secours DePaul / Park Place initiative is consistent with several objectives set forth by the Healthy Virginians 2010 effort.  By helping people gain access to a specific source of ongoing care and helping people who qualify, gain access to health insurance, there is an opportunity to increase the quality and years of healthy life, and eliminate health disparities.

“Park Place, like Bon Secours, is committed to delivering all services with compassion, dedication and integrity to our patients,” said Barbara Willis, CEO, Portsmouth Community Health Center (PCHC), Inc.  PCHC also manages Park Place Medical Center. 

“We appreciate the continued investment DePaul has made in meeting the health care needs of the underserved,” she added.  “In recent years, DePaul joined other community leaders who supported the continuation of health care services in the Park Place neighborhood.”

“We are excited about this partnership,” Duggan noted.  “This agreement is consistent with the Mission of Bon Secours, which brings compassion to the health care setting and provides ‘good help to those in need.’  We are focused on continuing our mission to care for those who are in need and I am pleased that we were able to make this happen for residents of the greater Norfolk area.”