MIHS, Phoenix Indian Hospital reach provider agreement

Pediatric patients once treated at Phoenix Indian now have a home at Maricopa Medical Center

MIHS Press Release
March 16, 2007

PHOENIX - Beginning April 1, 2007 Maricopa Integrated Health System will begin treating pediatric patients who once sought care at Phoenix Indian Hospital. The agreement, finalized this week, gives pediatric patients who formerly received care at Phoenix Indian Hospital another asset in their health care toolbox.

"This is an exciting time to be involved with pediatrics at MIHS," said Dr. Kote Chundu, chairman of pediatrics at Maricopa Medical Center. "In addition to serving the community, this will enhance our already strong pediatric residency program."

Home to the second largest teaching hospital in the Valley, Maricopa Medical (MMC) Center is uniquely qualified to become the destination hospital for the Native American community. The medical center boasts a 40-bed Level Three Newborn Intensive Care Unit, which means MMC is capable of treating infants born with even the most severe illnesses or complications.

In addition to its 40-bed NICU, Maricopa Medical Center has 42 pediatric beds, a seven bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Pediatric Emergency Department. This agreement means Maricopa Medical Center will treat an additional 700 pediatric patients annually. After evaluating proposals from several local health care providers, officials from Phoenix Indian Hospital reached an agreement with MIHS because of its excellent pediatric program and willingness work with a culturally diverse patient population.

Phoenix Indian Hospital will be rightsizing its services and, as a result, discontinuing its pediatric services. MIHS CEO Betsey Bayless said she welcomes MIHS' new patients and she believes this agreement will benefit everyone involved. "Maricopa Integrated Health System and Phoenix Indian Hospital have similar missions," she said. "This agreement makes sense and it fits perfectly with the health system's voter-approved mission to serve the community."

About Maricopa Integrated Health System - Maricopa Integrated Health System is headquartered in the heart of Phoenix. The cornerstone of the system is Maricopa Medical Center (MMC), a major teaching hospital with a history dating back more than 100 years. Best known for its critical care services, the hospital offers Level One trauma and intensive care for adults, babies and children. Two in-patient psychiatric care centers with nearly 200 beds provide services in behavioral medicine. The nation’s second largest burn treatment facility, the Arizona Burn Center, located on the main hospital campus, treats more than 800 patients per year. Eleven family health care centers are located throughout the Valley, providing primary and specialty care ranging from well baby to HIV-AIDS patient services. For more information about MIHS, visit www.mihs.org.

Last updated on October 7, 2008