NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bringing together decades of experience in health system mergers and partnerships, Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc. and Geisinger Health System are proud to announce the release of “Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships: An Insider’s Guide to Communication” (HealthLeaders Media, 2013).

Driven by healthcare reform, nearly 80 percent of healthcare leaders surveyed said they would have merger or acquisition deals underway or would be exploring them in the next 12-18 months (HealthLeaders Media Intelligence Report, 2012). In the last year alone, there were 106 hospital transactions announced – a significant increase from 2010 and 2011 figures of 83 and 101, respectively (Kaufman, Hall & Associates, Inc.).

“Strategically managing culture and communications is fundamental to the success of a partnership – in fact, it’s the No. 1 reason hospital deals fall apart,” says David Jarrard, president and CEO of Jarrard Inc. and primary author of the book. According to a recent survey, culture tops integration issues and access to capital as a “deal killer” (HealthLeaders Media Intelligence Report, 2012).

“With hospitals and health systems facing this time of unprecedented change, transformation and innovation, we see consolidation, scalability and the benefits of partnerships emerging as a solution. As communications professionals navigating this historic time, we are in a position to lead our organizations – and our industry – through these critical changes.”

“Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships: An Insider’s Guide to Communication” offers 10 rules for successful partnership communications. It balances strategy and the practical steps needed to develop a comprehensive communications plan. The book also features case studies from groundbreaking mergers in the last 10 years, a glossary of partnership terms and advice from deal brokers at nationally recognized firms whose experience spans rural to urban, investor-owned to not-for-profit deals.

“A foundational tenet of the book is a shared belief that hospital partnerships excel when dynamic and transparent communications is an integral part of the entire strategy,” says Frank J. Trembulak, executive vice president and chief operations officer of Geisinger Health System.

“To be successful, hospitals must communicate a shared vision, define benefits for each of their stakeholders and create positive momentum. These culture-focused communications are as critical as the operational and financial considerations.”

The book is based on Jarrard and Geisinger’s collective years of experience in completing multiple deals representing diverse arrangements. Jarrard Inc. developed communications for more than 20 percent – approximately $15 billion – of hospital mergers and acquisitions announced in the U.S. last year. An expanding integrated system of care, Geisinger has added five hospitals in the last nine years to better serve its local community.

“Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships: An Insider’s Guide to Communication” is available through HealthLeaders Media and Amazon.com. Learn more at www.partnershipcommunications.com.

ABOUT JARRARD INC.

Based in Nashville, Tenn., with an office in Chicago, Jarrard Inc. is the premier strategic communications firm for any hospital in the nation experiencing a time of significant change, crisis or opportunity. Jarrard Inc. has more hospital M&A experience than any firm in the nation. In addition, it publishes the healthcare newsletter Inside Baseball and ranks among the top 15 healthcare PR firms in the U.S. For more information, visit www.jarrardinc.com or follow us @JarrardInc.

ABOUT GEISINGER HEALTH SYSTEM

Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development of innovative care models such as ProvenHealth Navigator® and ProvenCare®. As the nation’s largest rural health services organization, Geisinger serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The physician-led system is comprised of more than 19,000 employees, including a 1,000-member multi-specialty group practice, six hospital campuses, two research centers and a 413,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $6.1 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. The health system and the health plan have repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or follow the latest Geisinger news and more on Twitter and Facebook.