Select Medical Corporation, UC San Diego Health, and Vibra Healthcare LLC announce the formation of two joint ventures to serve San Diego and its surrounding communities.

Under the agreements, one joint venture will operate a critical illness recovery hospital, also known as long-term acute care, and the other will operate an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, according to a media release from Select Medical.

“These partnerships represent best-in-class health systems coming together under a common mission to deliver superior post-acute care,” says Select Medical President and Chief Executive Officer David Chernow, in the release.

As part of the joint ventures, Vibra Healthcare contributed its existing Vibra Hospital of San Diego, maintaining majority ownership. Select Medical will serve as the new operating manager of the hospital, renaming it Select Specialty Hospital – San Diego. It will mark the 99th critical illness recovery hospital within Select Medical’s nationwide network.

“We are very excited to join forces with Select Medical and UC San Diego Health to provide a state-of-the-art continuum of post-acute hospital care in one location,” states Brad Hollinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Vibra Healthcare, the release continues.

Additionally, the partnership will result in a new hospital to serve patients with such conditions as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Select Medical will be the majority owner and operate the 42-bed hospital, expected to open in 2019.  Select Medical currently operates 26 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across the US.

“This novel collaboration allows us to significantly improve and expand the continuum of safe, high-quality care we offer our patients,” comments Patty Maysent, chief executive officer, UC San Diego Health, in the release.

“As an academic health system, we care for patients with deeply complex medical needs who may benefit from extended acute care or rehabilitation. With the comprehensive resources and clinical expertise of Select Medical, Vibra Healthcare and UC San Diego Health, we have developed an efficient model of care that will promote better transitions of care for all patients throughout the community,” she adds.

[Source(s): Select Medical, PR Newswire]