USACS NEWS
USACS shares news and information that keep you informed and demonstrate our commitment to efficiency and improved patient care and outcomes. A USACS representative is available for media inquiries.
Press Release
Feb 21, 2022
US Acute Care Solutions Acquires Alteon Health
USACS physicians bought out Alteon private equity shareholders and will issue USACS ownership to hundreds of Alteon physicians Canton, Ohio, February 1, 2022– US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), a national leader in physician-owned emergency medicine, hospitalist, observation and critical care services announced today that it has acquiredAlteon Health (Alteon)from its private equity shareholders. Hundreds of Alteon physicians will become USACS physician owners, and together the two companies will form a leading physician-owned provider of integrated- and post-acute care medicine, serving approximately nine million patients annually in more than 500 hospital-based and post-acute programs in 28 states. USACS Executive Board Chairman Dominic J. Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, said, “We formed USACS to create a company that would provide a perpetual physician ownership model in order to deliver world-class care to our patients. That ownership model is thriving, and we couldn’t be more excitedto welcome 450 new physician owners to our organization.” “Our scaled physician-partnership is unique in our industry. It is a clear differentiator for us, and it has enabled us to deliver high quality patient care and develop strong, longstanding relationships with our hospital system clients,” said USACS Chief Executive Officer James Frary. “With Alteon on our team, we will further strengthen our existing partner relationships and expand with new key health systems.” Alteon Chief Executive Officer Steve Holtzclaw, MD, MBA, FACEP, said, “As a physician-founded, physician-led organization committed to building exceptional clinical careers, we are excited about the transition to an ownership model for our physicians. We are equally excited to join forces with USACS to provide the highest quality care to our shared patients and meet the goals of our health system and post-acute partners.” Sidley Austin LLP and Epstein, Becker Green served as legal counsel to USACS, and Barclays and Deutsche Bank served as financial and strategic advisors. Greenberg Traurig served as legal counsel to Alteon, and Greenhill served as financial and strategic advisor. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and hospitalist physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately seven million patients annually across more than 300 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. About Alteon With more than 1,300 clinicians serving approximately 200 practice locations nationwide, Alteon is a leading provider of emergency medicine, hospitalist medicine, critical care, post-acute care and virtual and home health services. The physician-led practice is equipped with 50 years of experience in providing high-quality, industry-leading and patient-focused care in diverse medical markets. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406
Press Release
Dec 30, 2021
Hospitalist Services at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Hollister, CA (December 30, 2020) VEP Healthcare Inc. (Operating as US Acute Care Solutions as of June 2021), a national leader in emergency medicine and hospital medicine management and staffing services, will lead Hollister, California-based Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital’s (HHMH) hospitalist program effective December 23, 2020. “The executive team at HHMH is excited about the partnership that will bring their expertise in a managed group model to the hospital’s important inpatient medicine service.” Steven Hannah, M.H.A., HHMH CEO says. The group has managed HHMH’s emergency department since 2015. The expanded partnership enables their skilled emergency medicine and hospital medicine experts to collaborate to deliver a smooth patient experience between emergency room care and inpatient admission. “Patients are the focus of these types of decisions and while we’ve had a solid hospitalist service leading up to this transition, we believe that this partnership will provide a strong foundation for providing inpatient care into the future,” Hannah says. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Hazel Hawkins to provide outstanding care to San Benito and southern Santa Clara counties,” President of USACS West Region Steve Maron, MD says. About Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) is a full-service 25-bed not-for-profit hospital providing exceptional health care to San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. After more than 100 years of operation, HHMH remains dedicated to its values of respect, compassion, and excellence. HHMH is a locally-governed, community-based hospital offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, laboratory services, palliative care, physician, speech, occupational therapy, respiratory care, and a new modern birthing center.
Press Release
Oct 29, 2021
US Acute Care Solutions Expands Integrated Acute Care Services at Peterson Regional Medical Center in Texas
CANTON, Ohio, October 29, 2021 –US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) announced today it is now providing integrated acute care (IAC) services for Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville, TX. A private, not-for-profit community-based healthcare facility located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, this hospital has been named one of the nation’s Top 100 Rural Community Hospital for six consecutive years. The hospital provides care for a service area of over 100,000 people. In May of 2021, Modern Healthcare designated Peterson Healthcare one of the nation’s “Best Places to Work.” USACS currently provides emergency medicine services at Peterson Regional Medical Center. Integrated Acute Care brings the addition ofcritical careand hospital medicine services together as one team with one purpose: seamless, quality patient care across the entire acute care episode. “We’re proud to expand our partnership with Peterson Regional Medical Center, as they have achieved excellence on a national level and seek to provide the very best patient experience and quality outcomes across all services,” said Dr. George Mitri, Chief of Integrated Acute Care Services at USACS. As the area’s largest employer, Peterson Health offers 26 key service lines, including the emergency department, acute rehabilitation unit, The Baby Place, women’s services,intensive care unit, heart and vascular clinic, seven surgical suites, and an award-winning joint replacement program. CEO and President Cory Edmondson said, “Our mission is to provide exceptional, compassionate patient-centered care. We are proud of our partnership with US Acute Care Solutions because we know they will meet that mission and easily fit our award-winning organization and culture.” The USACS model of Integrated Acute Care builds on the USACS commitment to provide quality and safety by creating a single, accountable team of physician leaders responsible for improvement of patient care throughout the patient's stay, from entrance into the emergency department until discharge, and beyond. The model has led to improvements in key quality metrics, particularly thoserelated to patient experience. # # # About USACS Founded by 15 emergency and hospital medicine physician groups across the country, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, which includes emergency, hospital and critical care professional services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 7 million patients annually across 300+ programs and is aligned with leading health systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. About Peterson Health Peterson Health is a health network serving patients and the community in the Texas Hill Country with its flagship hospital, Peterson Regional Medical Center located in Kerrville, TX. Peterson Regional Medical Center is a 124-bed, not-for-profit rural community hospital committed to offering world-class care today, tomorrow, and always. Visitpetersonhealth.comto learn more. Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Director US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Aug 20, 2021
USACS Clinician-Owners Vote to Mandate COVID Vaccine for all USACS Clinicians
The National Clinical Governance Board (NCGB) of US Acute Care Solutions announced today that USACS clinician-owners have voted to self-mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all its clinicians. “At USACS, our mission is to care for patients – and each other,” said Chief Medical Officer Amer Aldeen, MD. “The research data demonstrating vaccine effectiveness has been overwhelmingly reinforced by our actual epidemiologic experience. Science has clearly shown that the COVID vaccine is incredibly effective at saving lives. The vast majority of our clinicians already have chosen to get the vaccine, and many of our hospital partners are mandating vaccines as well.” “As an acute care practice group whose clinicians all work on the front lines, we know more than anyone the burden COVID-19 has placed upon our patients and our healthcare system,” said Chief Clinical Officer Matt Patlovany, MD. “In voting for this vaccine mandate for ourselves, our clinician-owners have democratically upheld the highest standards of patient safety and public health. We pride ourselves in being leaders in doing what’s right in support of our patients, our clinicians, science and society.” “The USACS National Clinical Governance Board is comprised solely of physicians and is tasked with all clinical governance issues facing the group,” said NCGB Chair Joan Kolodzik, MD. “Physician partners asked for this vote, and their voices were heard loud and clear. Our mission:To care for patientsis at the center of every decision we make, and we believe this vaccine mandate is how we can best care for patients. We hope that patients will, in turn, feel more comfortable in following our lead so that together we can end this pandemic.” Throughout the pandemic, USACS has prioritized state-of-the-art patient care, the safety of our clinicians, and the needs of our hospital partners. Examples of this include creating a nationwide COVID Task Force to quickly share best practices, sourcing PPE backup supplies nationally to mitigate local shortages, creating the first-in-the-industry quarantine fund to pay for clinicians’ lost time, and providing our clinicians with home-based COVID antibody and antigen tests. To help our hospital partners, we built evidence-based care clinical management tools to identify COVID patients suitable for discharge, developed surge ICU and hospital floor protocols, and staffed pre-ED triage tents, pop-up acute care settings, and even full-service COVID hospitals.
Press Release
Aug 13, 2021
US Acute Care Solutions Names Dr. Benjamin Morel a Vice President of its East Region
US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today named Benjamin Morel, MD a vice president of its East Region. Most recently, Dr. Morel served as the medical director of Atrium Health Pineville in Charlotte, NC, where he led the clinician team to deliver high quality, efficient, and compassionate care. He implemented directives such as operations for MED-1 deployment and extended supertrack, authored the Atrium Health External ED Guideline for Treatment, achieved improvements in critical emergency department metrics, improved the overall patient experience and developed a culture fostering provider satisfaction. As a regional vice president, Dr. Morel will provide medical and administrative leadership necessary to support the efforts of individual site medical directors within the Atruim Health System. In collaboration with his clinical colleagues and other regional leadership, he will oversee the quality and effectiveness of each medical director while providing the resources and direction required to maintain the highest-quality patient care. “I’m excited to step into this new role,” said Dr. Morel. “The North Carolina community has overcome tremendous challenges in the past 18 months, and strong, positive leadership is more critical than ever. I’m grateful for the confidence that has been placed in me to care for patients and my fellow clinicians.” A board-certified emergency physician, Dr. Morel has been with USACS since 2013. He completed the prestigious USACS Scholars Program in 2016. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Morel completed his residency in emergency medicine from Carolinas Medical Center, where he was chief resident. # # # About USACS Founded by 16 emergency medicine and hospitalist physician groups across the country, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 7 million patients annually across more than 300 programs and is aligned with leading health systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Director US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Jul 26, 2021
US Acute Care Solutions Names Dr. Jayne Kendall President East Region
CANTON, OHIO, July 26, 2021 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today announced it has named Jayne Kendall, MD, MBA, FACEP, CDE, CPE, the President of its East Region effective immediately. Most recently Dr. Kendall served as a vice president of the USACS East Region, a position she has held since 2012, and she practices clinically at hospitals in the Atrium System around Charlotte.Since joining USACS in 2006, Dr. Kendall has served as a quality director, assistant director and medical director in addition to her most recent vice president role and her current position as president. Dr. Kendall said, “It is a privilege and an honor to be tapped to lead the USACS East Region. I am grateful to my clinical colleagues and our leadership for their confidence and support. I am excited to take on this expanded role as we continue to grow our physician-owned scaled partnership.” USACS Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Matt Patlovany, said, “Jayne is a perfect fit for this position. She is a gifted physician and a demonstrated leader. She earns the instant respect and admiration of those she leads and those she serves. I am very excited to work more closely with her as president.” Dr. Kendall takes over for Dr. Aaron Snyder, a 20-year veteran of USACS and its predecessor, who is leaving to pursue an opportunity outside the acute care specialty. All the USACS physician-owners, APPs and non-clinical staff wish Dr. Snyder well. Dr. Kendall earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University-Bloomington and a medical degree from Indiana University.She completed her emergency medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center, where she was chief resident. In May 2012, she completed the Executive Master of Business Administration program at Queens University of Charlotte. She earned her credentials from the Institute for Diversity Certification andis a Certified Diversity Professional. Dr. Kendallearned the Certified Physician Executive credentials through the American Association of Physician Leadership in 2019. About USACS Founded by 16 emergency medicine and hospitalist physician groups across the country, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 7 million patients annually across more than 300 programs and is aligned with leading health systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406
Press Release
Jun 29, 2021
Drs. James Augustine, Michael Beeson Honored by American College of Emergency Physicians
Canton, Ohio, June 29, 2021– US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today announced that physiciansJames Augustine, MD, FACEPandMichael Beeson, MD, MBA, FACEPwill be awarded two of the most prestigious lifetime awards by American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). Dr. Augustinewas named theJames D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicinerecipient, an award that is presented to an active, life, or honorary member for significant contributions to emergency medicine. This award is named after the late James D. Mills, Jr, MD, the second president of ACEP. Dr. Mills practiced emergency medicine in Alexandria, Virginia, for many years, and is commonly referred to as a designer of the "Alexandria Plan" for staffing emergency facilities with full-time practitioners of emergency medicine. James Augustine, MD, FACEP, is the USACS National Director of Prehospital Strategy for USACS and most recently chaired USACS’ National Clinical Governance Board. He is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a fellow in the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). He recently concluded his second term on the ACEP Board of Directors, where he was honored for his lifetime of service at the 2019 conference. In addition, he has been a member of national groups and organizations overseeing emergency medical services, emergency service quality improvement, benchmarking and best practices and disaster preparation. Dr. Augustine earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, and his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine. He performed an integrated residency in emergency medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine. He continues to serve as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wright State University. He has been married to Linda Augustine, a critical care nurse, for more than 40 years, and they have three grown children. Jim and Linda have long careers in fire and emergency services. Dr. Augustine is the Medical Director for Fire EMS agencies in Atlanta, GA; Naples, FL and Dayton, OH. Michael Beeson, MD, MBA, FACEPwas named theJudith E. Tintinalli Award for Outstanding Contribution in Educationaward recipient. This is presented to an ACEP member who has made a significant contribution to the educational aspects of the specialty. Dr. Beeson is Program Director for the USACS Emergency Medicine Residency at Summa Health in Akron, OH, where he also is Vice-Chair of Education in the Department of Emergency Medicine. He started his career as Emergency Medicine Program Director at Summa Akron City nearly three decades ago and most recently was Program Director at Akron General Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Beeson is one of the most honored Program Directors in the country, having received the Emergency Medicine Residency Association’s Program Director of the Year, the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education’s Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine’s Hal Jayne Excellence in Education Award and the Council of Residency Director’s Michael P. Wainscott Program Director Award.Dr. Beeson has served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and is Editor-in-Chief of ACEP’s Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine. He is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and numerous textbook chapters. About USACS Founded by 16 emergency medicine and hospitalist physician groups across the country, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 7 million patients annually across more than 300 programs and is aligned with leading health systems across the country. Visit usacs.com to learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406