A few weeks ago, Leadership News posted that Beaumont Health has entered into an outpatient dialysis services partnership. In case you missed it, Beaumont Health and Fresenius Medical Care have signed a definitive agreement establishing a new partnership to manage four Beaumont-owned outpatient dialysis centers and Beaumont Kidney Specialty Services, an existing joint venture between Beaumont and physicians. Beaumont is moving to this shared ownership business model to provide the best services for our patients, as the demand for outpatient dialysis is expected to outpace Beaumont’s capacity in the coming years. This partnership is based on shared ownership, returns, risks and governance. According to Paul LaCasse, D.O., MPH, executive vice president of Beaumont Post-Acute Care Division & Diversified Business Operations, “We want to ensure our patients receive optimal care by looking for ways to provide high-quality care in a model that aligns with the changing health care delivery and financing environment. This joint venture will help us continue to provide high-quality services without compromising the evolving needs of our patients and families.” Royal Oak Section Head of Nephrology Paul S. Kellerman, M.D., FACP, FNKF added, “The joint venture with Fresenius Medical Care will bring in the operational expertise of FMC as one of the largest providers of dialysis care in the U.S. It is important for physicians working with Beaumont Health to realize that because this is a joint venture, Beaumont Health will have input into clinical policies and quality parameters, with maintenance of identification with Beaumont for our patients.”