The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) Board of Trustees and the UNC Health Board of Directors have announced the approval of a comprehensive, long-term Management Services Agreement (MSA) between the two organizations to expand local health care services and improve access to resources for patients in the High Country region of North Carolina.
“In February, the ARHS Board of Trustees announced its desire to explore a potential relationship to strengthen the health system’s ability to bring new resources to the community,” said ARHS Board Chair Thomas Dale. “Our thorough process led us to UNC Health, one of the most recognized and trusted health systems in the country. Through our MSA, we will be able to deepen our primary care base, improve accessibility and enhance the level of services we provide today.”
Patients will continue to see the same doctor and the familiar, caring team members and access the services and clinics they always have. Since this is not an acquisition, ARHS will retain its not-for-profit status, local governance structure, local leadership and will continue to operate its Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation which supports the programs and services of ARHS.
UNC Health shares ARHS’s vision for the affiliation to provide robust specialty care and lead transformational change in primary care to improve lives in the High Country region of North Carolina.
