In the summer of 2008, a group of physicians and office administrators began meeting on a regular basis to discuss various ways that we could work together more closely in managing our practices, communicating and coordinating the care of our patients. The mission statement and code of conduct were crafted in July 2009. Additional information can be found on our History page.

The Physician Hospital Alignment (PHA) is open to any physician in Central Oregon who shares the vision of the PHA mission statement and has a desire to contribute to the work involved in reforming health care in our region. To date, over 475 local physicians and providers have signed the mission statement and code of conduct.

In a physician led model, every member plays an important role. The PHA steering committee was formed in July 2009 to more formally guide the effort toward an integrated healthcare delivery system. Since then, several work groups have developed to take on the tasks involved in this substantial project.

Physicians can join the effort by making a personal commitment to the mission statement (downloadable version here), attending PHA meetings and collaborating with your colleagues.

Patients and community members can get involved by offering feedback, participating in town hall discussions and becoming advocates for health.

Sign up for email updates to stay informed about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

The Physician Hospital Alignment of Central Oregon is a principles-based collaboration of more than two hundred and fifty Central Oregon physicians with one goal: to create a recommended model for a physician-driven integrated health care delivery system. The organization is united in a desire to achieve the following objectives*:

The PHA is open to any physician interested in helping define the future of health care in the microcosm of our region.

* These goals are known as the ‘Triple Aim’ as established by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement

In the world of health care, times are changing.  That is a fact.  The PHA is a wonderful opportunity for physicians to co-create a new delivery system in collaboration with SCHS in the region.  This organization ensures that caregivers are guiding the discussion on improving health care and driving change rather than reacting to changes coming from a federal level. The integrated delivery system developed by the PHA has the potential to become a model for the nation.

Changes in the health care system are inevitable.  As caregivers and administrators, we would much rather be in a position of influencing that change and building a solution that will provide the greatest benefit for our community.  To that end, the primary long-term goal of the PHA is to create a sustainable, equitable, integrated health care system that works for our community.  To accomplish that, we will look to successful models throughout the nation, glean best practices from them and bring back the best and most relevant pieces that fit the unique needs of our community.

Quite simply, every member of our community deserves to feel confident that he or she is getting the most direct route to the best care possible at an affordable price.  The PHA seeks to eliminate the current health care system’s redundancies and create an integrated, streamlined structure that will provide improved care, improved patient experience and improved community health.

For too long, healthcare providers have had to work in a system of silos rather than an atmosphere of collaboration.  Making a difference in the healthcare of their patients is the top priority of all physicians. The PHA gives physicians the opportunity to create a collegial atmosphere that encourages the exchange of information, ideas and experiences, all of which will directly and positively impact patient care.  From an economic standpoint, the PHA provides a path to a model where physicians can pool their resources and reduce overhead costs such as malpractice insurance, supplies, even technology.

As a region, Central Oregon enjoys world class health care, in part, because this is where many of the nation’s best physicians want to live.  The PHA allows us to take that world class care to the next level for the benefit of all who live here.  With just one hospital system serving a large geographic area, we have a unique opportunity to improve the health of our region by developing and implementing a physician-led model for health care that positively impacts all stakeholders; patients, physicians ,insurance companies and the community at large.  The PHA will not only create a paradigm shift away from “business as usual” health care, it will position Central Oregon as the successful example of this new model in action.

The era of fee for service is coming to a close and a new, as-yet-undefined economic reality for the medical community is in the near future. Joining the mission of the PHA is an opportunity to be proactively involved in the changing face of health care and a chance to be an active part of something created by design rather than mandated federally.

Our nation’s health care system is currently fragmented between different physicians, facilities and disciplines. An integrated health care delivery system successfully streamlines the entire health care experience and delivers seamless, coordinated care aligned around a patient’s best interest. Because all elements of patient care are integrated, there is less frustrating and expensive duplication, all members of your care team are in communication and costs are controlled through a variety of methods. Integrated health care is a partnership working to give you the best, most personal, cost-effective health care possible.

Changing the status quo is always a challenge but all voices are welcome in this conversation about the future of health care in our region. The PHA is not exclusionary; it is open to all physicians who believe in the mission statement and are willing to adhere to the code of conduct.

The PHA hopes to be a safe harbor of like-minded professionals committed to working together in a supportive, collaborative environment where issues can be discussed and solutions found that work for all stakeholders.

The PHA is asking physicians to be part of a journey. If at any time a physician disagrees with the direction, they are free to opt out but, in the meantime, they are helping to shape the conversation, change the status quo and move care in a direction that will most benefit patients and caregivers.

With all care providers in Central Oregon uniting for a common good, there are no drawbacks. The risk for physicians who don’t align is a vision that doesn’t reflect their valuable experience and input.

No, the organization is physician-driven. Due to the nature of health care, the organization is naturally centered on the single hospital system in the region, but physicians, medical providers and the hospital system are all equal players in a larger picture. The hospital system has the resources to support the initial work of the PHA with the understanding that the integrated medical system the PHA is working toward will be physician-directed, not hospital-directed or hospital–controlled. Portraying the PHA as anything but a mutual effort by local physicians is inaccurate and does not support the mission of a better health care experience for all.

The Physician Hospital Alignment for Central Oregon does not cost anything to join and requires no financial responsibility.

Ideally, physicians will not just be represented by this organization, they will be an integral and active part of it. Physicians, along with their peers in the medical community are driving the discussion and each member has an important voice in the conversation with decisions reached by consensus.