TUCSON, Ariz. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2013-- Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY), a global leader in population health management, and Carondelet Health Network today announced an exclusive agreement to evaluate opportunities in population health management for the Tucson market. Carondelet and Healthways both recognize that healthcare is rapidly evolving and health systems must build new capabilities specifically focused on managing and improving the health and well-being of communities. Healthways provides experience and expertise in identifying the appropriate path toward that goal by creating systems that help people maintain healthy behaviors, reduce health-related risks, and optimize the care provided to those with chronic health conditions.

“In order for our healthcare system to fulfill its mission, it must be visionary—seeking out the most innovative methods by which to serve the needs of the residents for which we are responsible,” said James K. Beckmann, Jr., president and CEO of Carondelet. Through this joint endeavor, Carondelet and Healthways will develop plans to use their combined capabilities to meet the needs of physician partners, regional employers, and health insurers, with a focus on helping people take control of their health in a more proactive way.

First established by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1880, Carondelet is the largest Catholic healthcare system in Arizona and is part of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic healthcare system. For more than three decades, Healthways has been an internationally recognized leader in the formulation and implementation of well-being improvement systems, serving more than 40 million people on four continents.

Carondelet and Healthways will be working toward a set of aligned objectives that include: realizing measurable and reportable improvements in health and well-being outcomes, delivering high-quality and affordable healthcare services across Southern Arizona, expanding a high-functioning network of employed and independent physicians caring for Carondelet patients, and developing strategic partnerships that will support Carondelet’s efforts to build healthier communities.

“We chose to work with Healthways because of their proven track record of creating successful solutions that have enhanced the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide and that bring economic value to payers, physicians, employers, and communities,” said Beckmann.

Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways CEO, noted, “We are very pleased to have been chosen by Carondelet to work with them on this assessment. We expect the results should lead to the implementation of a variety of solutions that will meet the emerging needs of the Tucson market. Our expectation is that the assessment will yield opportunity to deploy our experience and proven capabilities in health and well-being improvement. We look forward to an ongoing, comprehensive, and very strategic relationship with Carondelet as they continue to transform into the leading model for population health management in their region.”

About Carondelet Health Network

Located in Tucson, Arizona, Carondelet Health Network is a Catholic, nonprofit healthcare system dedicated to responding to the health, prevention, education, and wellness needs of Southern Arizonans. Carondelet was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet more than 132 years ago. Carondelet’s Tucson facilities include St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Carondelet Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Mary’s Hospital, and Carondelet Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital; as well as Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales, Arizona. Carondelet’s family of services also include nearly two dozen primary and specialty care offices, an ambulatory surgery center, several imaging centers, Hospice and Palliative Care, and a variety of other outpatient services. Carondelet Health Network is a ministry of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic, not-for-profit healthcare system. In FY12, Carondelet provided nearly $66 million in Community Benefit to improve the health of our community and increase access to healthcare. More information about Carondelet Health Network is available at www.carondelet.org.

About Healthways

Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities, and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 40 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.healthways.com.

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Source: Healthways

Healthways
Chip Wochomurka, 615-614-4493
chip.wochomurka@healthways.com
or
Carondelet Health Network
Lisa Contreras, Communications Director, 520-349-1845
lcontreras@carondelet.org