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Announces Partnerships with Catholic Healthcare West and Riverside Medical Clinic

By BVN Staff –

The March LifeCare campus, heralded as America’s Health and Wellness city, broke ground on Wednesday, June 2, as over 150 local dignitaries and community members watched. March HealthCare Development Founder and Managing Partner Don Ecker thanked all those who stood by him during the over six-year process to bring a worldclass health facility to unused land on the former March Air Force Base.

“Let’s dig!” he said while surrounded by his team and new partners.

The groundbreaking program, held in front of the former hospital on the base began with a plea of support for bringing a Veteran’s health care facility to the base. Congressman Ken Calvert, whose 44th District includes the base, was presented by a letter from Brig. Gen. Charles W. Lamb, USAF, Ret. , President and CEO of Air Force Village West, representing the over 650 residents of the military Senior residential community. The letter asked Calvert to “actively support and campaign for the addition of a Veteran’s Healthcare Facility at the upcoming March LifeCare Campus.”

The program continued with words of encouragement from March Joint Powers Authority Chairman Richard Stewart, and Vice-Chair Marion Ashley, Chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. The project master plan was summarized by Alicia Wachtel, Vice-President of Healthcare from the design firm HOK.

The highlight came at the end of the program when Phil Dalton, Chair of March LifeCare Ventures, announced that Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) and St. Bernardine Medical Center (SBMC) have entered into an exclusive relationship with Riverside Medical Clinic (RMC) and March Healthcare Development (MHD) for the purpose of defining a new integrated health care delivery system on the March LifeCare Campus.

Dr. Steven Larson, Chairman and CEO of RMC said, “This is an opportunity to provide a healthcare system that encompasses the full continuum of care for the Inland Empire.

Further, CHW, Riverside Medical Clinic, and St. Bernardine Medical Center see this as an opportunity to plan and develop an integrated delivery system that under health care reform will be an integral piece of the overarching strategy for the future.”

St. Bernardine and RMC will also focus on the development of an Accountable Healthcare Organization (ACO) that will include other key hospitals, physician groups and Independent Practice Associations (IPAs). This delivery system will provide access to high quality, cost-effective care.

“We plan to take full advantage of the opportunities offered under health care reform,” stated Steve Barron, President of St. Bernardine Medical Center. “For the first time, there is a true opportunity to align the incentives of hospitals and physicians and that is a change we welcome,” he concluded.

The four organizations envision the planning process to take four to six months beginning immediately.

Steve Barron and Dr. Larson share a common vision and are looking forward to engaging in the process. “It is a privilege to be at the development table with these two quality providers of health care,” shared Don Ecker “This project has been a long time coming and now to see the last piece fall into place is very exciting.”

Judy Carpenter, President of Riverside Medical Clinic introduced Michael M. Grabendike, President/CEO of the Janet Goeske Foundation who stated that they are in the beginnings of discussing with March LifeCare to create an integrated continuing care community on the March LifeCare Campus.

Another project highlight was Joel Ayala, Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Develompent who read a letter of support signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.