Ridgway, Pa.-based DickinsonCenter will affiliate with Bradford, Pa.-based Journey Health System. The affiliation will make Journey Health System the largest and most comprehensive behavioral health service provider in the northwestern region of the state, according to The Bradford Era.
The state granted the affiliation approval on Sept. 12. Under the arrangement, President of Journey Health Richard Seager will serve as the CEO of the DickinsonCenter. The center itself will still be run and managed locally by former CEO Heidi Thomas.
According to the agreement, DickinsonCenter will keep its name and board of directors. Dickinson officials will take an active role in integrating the center's marketing, communications, IT, operations and human resource sectors with facilities belonging to Journey Health.
"Under this partnership, we hope to provide DickinsonCenter with the same opportunities currently provided to all of our affiliates," said Mr. Seager. "Our size allows greater bargaining power in health insurance and service reimbursement rate negotiations, enhanced ability to recruit and retain clinical experts, and centralized support departments to reduce costs for affiliates while providing unparalleled support for individual clinical service lines."