221 Michigan NE, Suite 402
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone
616-391-3447
PHO Relationship
The History of the WMPN
and Spectrum Health Physician Hospital Organization
The initial physician hospital organization (PHO) formation discussions between physicians and administrative representatives at Spectrum Health-Downtown Campus (formerly Butterworth Hospital) were initiated in late 1995. While physicians on staff at Spectrum Health – Downtown campus were interested in pursuing PHO discussions with the hospital, formal discussions were terminated in the summer of 1996 so that the physicians could take the time needed to form a physician organization (PO) of their own. Without such an organization, the physicians felt that a PHO relationship would be difficult to manage and would be too hospital driven.
As a result of a significant amount of meeting time and effort by a key group of physicians, West Michigan Physicians Network (WMPN) was formed in April, 1997, more than a year after the initial PHO discussions with Spectrum Health-Downtown Campus had started. The stated purpose of the new physician organization (PO) was to serve as the organizational vehicle through which physicians could pursue managed care contracts. WMPN had 298 physician members at the time of its formation.
After the formation of WMPN, negotiations began to develop a formal linkage between the new PO and the hospital. WMPN and Spectrum Health formed the Spectrum Health PHO in September, 1997.
Overview of Organizational Relationships
Spectrum Health Physician Hospital Organization
Board of Directors, 2005/2006
