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An Exciting Future for Overlake
Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and MultiCare Health System join to Advance Healthcare Across the State of Washington
Exciting news! The affiliation between Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and MultiCare Health System is official, effective Oct. 1, 2024.
This partnership strengthens the health systems’ long-term commitment to deliver the highest quality, most advanced healthcare to communities across Washington state.
- Overlake chose to pursue this affiliation to ensure a continued focus on high-quality patient care, excellence in our nursing and medical staff and the ongoing fulfillment of our historic mission.
- This new agreement supports our goals – and reflects our longstanding commitment to provide the high-quality, exceptional patient care our communities deserve.
- Through this agreement, Overlake and its network of clinics will serve as the flagship for MultiCare’s new North Sound region, reflecting Overlake’s expanding regional service area in King and Snohomish counties.
Why Now
To stay strong, Overlake must grow, evolve and transform – as we have always done since our inception in 1960.
The healthcare industry – both nationally and regionally – is rapidly transforming.
Our affiliation with MultiCare allows us to strengthen our guiding principles of culture, community, and exceptional patient care.
Through our affiliation with MultiCare, Overlake is continuing its proud legacy, while enhancing our programs and services.
What This Means for Patients and the Community
Over 60 years ago, our community came together to fund and build what is now known as Overlake Medical Center & Clinics. Today, we are proud to continue serving our community and are excited about what this affiliation means for the future of healthcare in our region.
Together, we will provide ever greater access to the excellent clinical care for which Overlake is known.
It’s important to note that our affiliation with MultiCare does not change anything for our patients today. Overlake Medical Center & Clinics patients can continue to see the same doctors and providers they know and trust.
What will remain:
- Your MyChart patient portal.
- The phone numbers to schedule and contact providers.
- The locations and services we offer today.
- Our continued focus on patient-centered quality care.
What This Means for Our Team Members
This affiliation doesn’t change Overlake today – it’s “business as usual.” The Overlake team will continue to provide compassionate, high-quality care to each and every patient. The dedication, expertise and compassion of Overlake employees are a key part of what makes Overlake so special.
This partnership makes Overlake better and stronger, not only for the benefit of our team, but for our entire community.
Why MultiCare
MultiCare recognizes Overlake as an exceptional healthcare system. Together, we will work to expand local access to healthcare and invest in the communities we serve.
MultiCare has a commitment to community-based healthcare in the state of Washington and Pacific Northwest and shares a nonprofit, secular mission. MultiCare understands the region’s unique health needs and, like Overlake, is committed to transforming healthcare in our region and the state of Washington for decades to come.
MultiCare has a proud history, with roots in the Pacific Northwest that go back to 1882, and is one of the largest locally governed health systems in the state, with a network of care that now includes 13 hospitals and hundreds of clinics in the Pacific Northwest.
What Overlake and MultiCare Will Achieve Together
Together we are committed to high-quality patient care while providing a combined strategic, financial, operational and clinical platform that enables us to best achieve future goals.
Key details of the commitments outlined in our agreement include:
- Significant capital investment in the region.
- Amplification of Overlake services.
- Local leadership, medical staff and foundation.
- Sharing of resources and expertise through measured integration.
What’s Next
Overlake and MultiCare leaders will embark on a planning process to seek areas of collaboration and integration of best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you can find some answers to questions that may be on your mind.
What is being announced?
The affiliation agreement between Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and MultiCare Health System is official, effective Oct. 1, 2024. This affiliation emphasizes their joint long-term commitment to deliver the highest quality, most advanced healthcare to communities across the state of Washington.
Our partnership with MultiCare ensures we will continue our legacy of serving our patients with the best possible care and working together in a unique, supportive culture, also maintain our high achievements in quality, safety and patient experience moving forward.
What led to this decision?
The healthcare industry – both nationally and regionally – is rapidly transforming. To stay strong, we know that Overlake must also grow, evolve and transform, as we have always done since our inception in 1960. As we look to the future, our goal is to ensure that Overlake sustains our mission of providing compassionate care and achieves our vision of being the leading and preferred healthcare delivery system in the region.
It is these goals that drove Overlake to undertake a deliberate and thorough process to assess various options for the organization’s future. As we started this process, we established core guiding principles that kept our culture, community, and commitment to high-quality patient care at the forefront.
Does this mean I can continue to see my Overlake doctor?
Yes. Rest assured, Overlake providers will continue to see their patients in the same locations they are today.
I have moved from the Eastside to Pierce County. May I now see my Overlake primary care provider at another MultiCare hospital or clinic in Pierce County?
Through this agreement, Overlake and its network of clinics will bring new services and operate a new North Puget Sound region of MultiCare’s statewide network. This affiliation will enable Overlake and MultiCare to collaborate, integrate best practices and expand access to care and clinical programs. Overlake’s governance, management structure, medical staff and local foundation will remain.
Patients who move away from the Eastside may continue to see their Overlake primary care provider in the same location/clinic where they are located today. Overlake providers will not be changing clinic locations or hospital privileges as a result of this affiliation.
Will there be changes to the insurance plans you accept?
We do not anticipate changes to the insurance plans we accept as a result of this affiliation.
How will this impact services?
Our affiliation with MultiCare does not change anything for our patients today – including the services currently provided. Overlake will continue to address the critical healthcare needs of the communities we serve, and we look forward to planning with MultiCare for future services.
What does this mean for the Overlake Foundation?
The Overlake Foundation will remain an independent, 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. We will continue raising funds for the sole benefit of Overlake’s vital programs and services. Donations will continue to be designated for the purpose for which they were intended.
Will Overlake’s name change?
Our system will continue to be branded Overlake Medical Center & Clinics but now includes an acknowledgment of MultiCare in our logo to signify our affiliation.
What does this mean for employees and employed providers?
This affiliation doesn’t change employees’ daily work – it’s “business as usual” at Overlake. Our mission and values stay the same. Current and future employees and employed providers will remain Overlake employees and will continue to report to the same leadership team they do today.
Our dedicated team of healthcare providers and professionals were top of mind as we considered this important step for Overlake.
Our intent in affiliating with MultiCare is to strengthen Overlake and continue our longstanding commitment to providing the high-quality, exceptional patient care our communities deserve.
What happens next?
Overlake and MultiCare will begin an organized and deliberate planning process to expand access to services, ensuring patients will continue to receive the same exceptional, compassionate care they expect and deserve from Overlake today and well into the future.