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Methodist Medical Center now called UnityPoint Health

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Methodist Medical Center has a new name, UnityPoint Health – Methodist, and leadership of the system to which it belongs promised Tuesday that what is already top-notch healthcare will get even better.

That healthcare system changed its name from Iowa Health System, parent of Methodist since 2011, to UnityPoint Health to reflect "the way its hospitals, physicians and home care entities are transforming health care delivery through patient-centered coordinated care," the company said in announcing the new name.

In central Illinois, UnityPoint Health - Methodist includes Methodist Medical Center, Methodist Medical Group (now UnityPoint Clinic), Methodist Home Health (now UnityPoint at Home - Methodist Home Health), and Methodist Hospice (now UnityPoint Hospice - Methodist Hospice).

UnityPoint Health got its start in 1993 as Iowa Health System. Since then UnityPoint Health has grown to encompass eight major geographic regions in Illinois and Iowa. In 2011, Methodist became the eighth senior affiliate, the release said.

"Over the years, as our team-based approach has developed and our services have expanded, we have become a point of unity for the patient. Our new brand is an expression of what we mean to our patients: people who work together to provide the best outcome for every patient every time," said Bill Leaver, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health.

The company said the change symbolizes the difference between the former hospital-centered health care process to one that more effectively addressed the total care of all patients, whether they were at a physician clinic, a hospital or home. The move to a physician-led organization focusing on patient care coordination is ongoing.

"The way we deliver health care is fundamentally changing," said Debbie Simon, CEO of UnityPoint Health – Methodist. "We needed a new name that reflects that we are providing even more coordinated care by putting the patient at the center of everything we do. The new system name says there is a shared commitment throughout UnityPoint Health to providing this better kind of health care."

The change to become UnityPoint Health follows several years of innovation and discussions between the organization's regions, board of directors, physician leadership and management teams regarding health care changes and how to best position the organization for the future.

Dr. Alan Kaplan, CEO of UnityPoint Clinic and senior vice president and chief clinical officer of UnityPoint Health, said that for a patient, care coordination is more than a doctor diagnosing a problem and prescribing treatment. "It means having a doctor who leads a team to help the patient over the time it takes to get well and stay well. It sounds simple, and from the patient perspective it should be. The challenge for organizations is to transform from the traditional way of delivering healthcare to one in which everyone is truly aligned and focused on what really matters—you. UnityPoint Health is doing that," he said.

The company said there will be no change in management, structure or staff as a result of the brand change. UnityPoint Health employs more than 24,000 individuals throughout Illinois and Iowa and each region will keep existing leadership and local boards of directors.

UnityPoint Health is one of the nation's most integrated health systems, the company said, including relationships with more than 900 physicians and care providers in more than 280 UnityPoint Clinics, 29 hospitals and home care services throughout its eight regions in Illinois and Iowa.

"While the name of our organization will change to reflect our focus on integrated care coordination, UnityPoint Health will continue to deliver the best outcome for every patient, every time," Leaver said. "It's our mission and commitment to patients and families. UnityPoint Health is a leader in health care. We are far ahead of other health systems and the time to announce our progress is now."