Sparrow Health System joins Mayo Clinic Care Network

Published: June 8, 2012

Sparrow announced today it is the first health system in Michigan and one of the first five in the nation to be selected as a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network.

This formal collaboration will mean that Sparrow Physicians have direct access to the latest Mayo Clinic expertise and clinical care resources to help care for their Patients.

"Sparrow's membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network is based on shared values related to quality, the Patient experience and value," said Dennis Swan, President and CEO of Sparrow. "We are honored to enter into the formal arrangement with Mayo for the benefit of Patients, Physicians, Nurses, Staff and the communities which count on us 24/7/365."

"Mayo Clinic and Sparrow are committed to improve the delivery of healthcare through high-quality, data-driven, evidence-based medical care and treatment," says David Hayes, M.D., Medical Director of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. "Through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, we will work together even more closely for the benefit of our Patients."

"Access to Mayo Clinic expertise and clinical care resources will mean that our Patients will receive some of the most advanced care in the nation, right here at Sparrow," said John Armstrong, M.D., Sparrow's Chief of Medical Staff. "It will be invaluable for our Physicians as we treat Patients from our expanding service area."

Sparrow, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Care Network members share a common philosophy, commitment and mission to continually improve the delivery of healthcare. The primary goal of Mayo Clinic Care Network is to help people gain the benefits of Mayo Clinic expertise close to home, ensuring that Patients travel outside the region only when necessary.

"I spent part of my life in this area, and know the commitment and dedication of Sparrow Caregivers to Patient-centered care," says Shirley Weis, Chief Administrative Officer of Mayo Clinic. "We look forward to continuing our ongoing collaboration, and finding new and innovative ways to provide care to Patients and their families."

The Mayo Clinic Care Network represents non-ownership relationships. Members are like-minded organizations that share a goal of improving the delivery of healthcare in their communities through high-quality, collaborative medical care. Launched last year, current Mayo Clinic Care Network members are in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and North Dakota.

Sparrow has the only Level 1 Trauma Center in mid-Michigan and is formally affiliated with Michigan State University's three human health colleges. Sparrow was recently named a top health system in the United States by Thomson Reuters and is also one of only 6 percent of hospitals nationally to have earned the Nurse Magnet Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.