Putnam-based Day Kimball Healthcare is moving toward an affiliation with a Catholic, not-for-profit health network based in Massachusetts.
In a joint statement, Day Kimball and Covenant Health Inc. announced they have entered into an affiliation agreement “allowing both organizations to move forward with discussions aimed at Day Kimball Healthcare becoming a full member of Covenant Health.”
Officials said the two health systems have been speaking for several months about the proposed linkup, but no “expectation was established” for the affiliation to become final because “the regulatory review and approval process is extensive.”
Day Kimball employs over 1,000 staff members and mainly serves residents in the northeast section of Connecticut, as well as some patients in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
It was not immediately clear if there would be any financial dimension to Day Kimball joining the Covenant system.
“We have had many productive and encouraging conversations with the leadership of Day Kimball Healthcare,” said Stephen Grubbs, president and CEO of Covenant Health. “The agreement we signed today allows us to take the next steps in this process, including working out important details and filing requests for approval of the proposed transition with various regulatory agencies.”
As part of the proposed affiliation, Day Kimball’s hospital, medical group, home care, hospice and palliative care and four health centers would be owned and operated by Covenant Health. Day Kimball’s board of directors would remain intact and would serve in an advisory capacity to Covenant Health’s board of directors to preserve local influence on decision-making, officials said.
“This affiliation with Covenant Health will further enhance our ability to serve our immediate community and beyond, and will also provide us the opportunity to make much needed investments in our electronic, physical and clinical infrastructure,” said Day Kimball CEO R. Kyle Kramer.
Day Kimball operates Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, as well as Day Kimball Medical Group and four ambulatory health care centers in Putnam, Danielson, Dayville and Plainfield. The Day Kimball system also includes home care, hospice and palliative care services.
Covenant, which is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, owns and operates 12 skilled nursing and senior living communities and three hospitals across New England and Pennsylvania.
