South Nassau Communities Hospital Joins Mount Sinai Health System

Oceanside, NY, January 26, 2018 --(PR.com)-- South Nassau Communities Hospital will become the flagship hospital on Long Island for the Mount Sinai Health System under an affiliation agreement announced today by the Boards of Trustees of the two institutions. Final state regulatory review is underway and approvals are expected in the coming months.

If the affiliation is approved, South Nassau will join Mount Sinai's $7 billion health system, which includes the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, one of the most prestigious medical schools and leading research centers in the country. The internationally renowned Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system encompassing seven hospitals (eight with the addition of South Nassau) in New York, 300 ambulatory practices and other community locations, and more than 6,500 physicians. Mount Sinai's Long Island footprint includes 200 physicians and other experts at 11 multidisciplinary practices. Mount Sinai will bring its academic, clinical, and research expertise to South Nassau, extending tertiary-level hospital services that offer advanced medical care to "rival and surpass any of those available on Long Island," according to a joint document outlining the transaction.

The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 nationally in the 2017-2018 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report, and is ranked nationally in 10 adult medical specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is nationally ranked by U.S. News in two specialties, Ear, Nose, and Throat and Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in six out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals."

"The addition of South Nassau to our Long Island network represents our commitment to broadening access to innovative treatment and research in this region," said Kenneth L. Davis, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System. "This transformative partnership will complement our existing network of talented clinicians and facilities. We are thrilled about what this means for patients and families on Long Island, and look forward to working closely with our Long Island partners to continue advancing care in the region."

"Joining the Mount Sinai Health System represents a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity that will expand the delivery and availability of advanced, high-quality health care services for all Long Islanders," said Richard J. Murphy, South Nassau's President and CEO. "South Nassau and Mount Sinai have a shared vision to improve services, especially on the South Shore, which is why this affiliation makes so much sense."

"The clinical and administrative leadership of Mount Sinai and South Nassau have been working diligently and collaboratively over the last 6 months to establish the foundation of this very important relationship and opportunity. We are already convinced about the wisdom and success of this partnership," saidArthur Klein, MD, President of the Mount Sinai Health Network.

South Nassau's current Board of Directors will retain local governance over the day-to-day operations of the 455-bed hospital. Mr. Murphy will report to the existing South Nassau board of directors and to Dr. Davis. The South Nassau Board will be joined by two new members from Mount Sinai's Board, and two members of South Nassau's Board will also join the Mount Sinai Board.

"Long Islanders shouldn't always have to travel into Manhattan for advanced cardiovascular, cancer, orthopedic, or neurological care," said Joseph Fennessy, the Chairman of South Nassau's Board of Directors, who led the year-long search process and affiliation talks. "Our goal from the outset was to find a partner seeking to expand services on Long Island who, like us, puts patients first, employing cutting-edge science and treatments. We have found that partner in Mount Sinai. Their physicians and researchers are leaders in their respective fields in so many key areas of medical science. We know the residents of the South Shore in particular will greatly benefit from this affiliation."

To help accomplish these goals, and as part of its commitment to Long Island, Mount Sinai will infuse a total of $120 million in capital contributions to South Nassau's five-year master facility plan, which will help expand surgical facilities, intensive care units, and South Nassau's emergency department.

"We are in the midst of tremendous growth and expansion at South Nassau," said Mr. Murphy. "Our plans to renovate and nearly double the size of our Emergency Department in Oceanside are already underway, as are plans for a new, four-story, high-intensity building in Oceanside, as well as expanded medical services in Long Beach. The relationship with Mount Sinai will accelerate our plans and provide essential services to patients throughout Long Island."

The two institutions signed a nonbinding letter of intent last May and have been exploring the details of a relationship in earnest since then. Physicians and administrators from both institutions already have been working on clinical programming to enhance and expand patient care and services.