Mission News

Asheville Hospitalist Group, Mission Hospital, and Mission Medical Associates Inc., the physician management arm of Mission Health System, today announced that they have signed final documents to implement a partnership on November 1.

Physicians of Asheville Hospitalist Group have been caring for inpatients at Mission since 1997. Hospitalists belong to a relatively new subspecialty of internal medicine which provides medical care to patients while they are in the hospital, in coordination with the patient’s regular office based physicians and other specialists such as intensivists and surgeons. All members of the practice are board certified in internal medicine.

Announcement of the agreement was made jointly by Joseph F. Damore, FACHE, President and CEO of Mission Health System Inc. and Mission Hospital, Jeffrey Moreadith, MD, President and Managing Partner for Asheville Hospitalist Group, and Marc B. Westle, D.O., FACP, Interim President & CEO of Mission Medical Associates.

“We have been working with Asheville Hospitalist Group for more than a decade, and we are excited about making this close relationship a true partnership,” said Damore. “We have seen how having hospital-based physicians can improve access to care and coordination of care, prevent delays and oversights, and support a system of “evidence-based” care that is proven to provide the best results for patients. We are proud that they are choosing to affiliate with Mission.”

“Since organizing in 1997, Asheville Hospitalist Group has worked closely with Mission to meet well aligned goals of quality and cost effective care for patients,” said Dr. Moreadith. “The relationship has been mutually beneficial to both organizations and more importantly, to the people of Western North Carolina. As we move ahead with this integration, the 28 physicians of Asheville Hospitalist Group look forward to building upon the existing solid foundation with Mission, and partnering to meet the regional health care needs during rather fluid times.”

The Asheville Hospitalist Group provides 24/7 coverage and care for patients admitted directly to Mission who do not have a regular physician, as well as for patients of physicians who have made agreements with the group to care for their patients while in the hospital. In addition to providing inpatient care, the group staffs the internal medicine teaching service for the Mountain Area Health Education Center family medicine residents.

Mission Medical Associates is a physician-led subsidiary of Mission Health System, Inc. designed to provide management services for physicians and their practices in Western North Carolina.

Mission Health System Inc. includes three hospitals: Mission Hospital in Asheville, home to Mission Children's Hospital; McDowell Hospital in Marion, and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. Mission Health System also operates Asheville Specialty Hospital in conjunction with CarePartners Health Services, and operates ambulatory care and physician services in Asheville, Marion and Spruce Pine.

More information about Asheville Hospitalist Group.