Mum's the word on hospitals' fallout

YOUNGSTOWN — There’s no official explanation for why talks about a joint venture for pediatric health care services broke down among Forum Health, Humility of Mary Health Partners and Akron Children’s Hospital.

All sides say discussion of a three-hospital partnership, which was announced in January, is over. But but none gave any reason for the failure. In a joint statement, HMHP and Akron Children’s said Tuesday that there is no three-hospital partnership that consists of HMHP, Akron Children’s and Forum. “While all parties shared the same philosophical vision, we were unable to finalize the process,” it stated.

In response, Dr. Keith T. Ghezzi, Forum Health president and chief executive officer, said he “regrets” the development, and believes that the community’s pediatric health needs would have been best served by a partnership among Forum, Akron Children’s and HMHP.

Forum Health continues its efforts to identify buyers and investors for Forum’s facilities and businesses. The Akron Children’s/HMHP announcement will not affect that goal, Ghezzi said.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com