UCI Health Acquisition: The Lasting Benefits of Transformative Integration.

Abstract

University of California (UCI) Health acquired an integrated healthcare delivery system from Tenet Healthcare in March 2024. The acquisition, which included four hospitals and added 858 beds to the system, was a pivotal move toward pursuing the organization's commitment to the long-term health needs of the region and progressing UCI Health's strategic priorities to improve health, increase sustainability, and transform healthcare. Following the acquisition, UCI Health embarked on a journey to integrate the system. This process strengthened the system's ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across the region. From the beginning, UCI Health established three guiding principles to support a successful integration and inform the path toward systemness: 1. Quality and access 2. People and culture 3. Financial performance The integration of the acquired hospital facilities, referred to as the UCI Health Community Network, has been a dynamic process. UCI Health began by addressing challenges related to the format of a divestiture, identifying opportunities for synergies within this new structure, and then advancing transformative initiatives that can bring lasting benefits. UCI Health has also established an integrated mission and vision, as well as coworker values, ensuring that all these statements are representative of the broader system. The integration efforts demonstrate UCI Health's commitment to systemness and the positive impact it has had across the organization.