Steward Health Care International Signs Letter of Intent with the Croatian Ministry of Health

ZAGREB, Croatia, July 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Steward Health Care International has signed a Letter of Intent with the Croatian Ministry of Health, to jointly explore areas of collaboration to improve the public health care system for the people of Croatia.

In a meeting with Ministry officials, Dr. Armin Ernst, President of Steward Health Care International, explained how Steward's unique model has achieved recognition globally. "Steward is a physician led organization, created and run by doctors, with the goal of improving health care for patients in the communities we serve," stated Dr. Ernst. "Working directly with governments, such as our counterparts here in Croatia, we aim to fully analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a health care system and find innovative collaborative ways to improve it. There is no one-size-fits-all model to health care, and it is only through collaboration with local experts that we can deliver the quality health care patients deserve. We are very pleased and proud to be working with the Croatian Government, and look forward to our collaboration."

"Our citizens' health is the top priority for our government, and we are delighted to have globally renowned Steward Health Care participating in designing ways to improve health care in Croatia," stated Prof. dr. sc. Milan Kujundzic, dr.med., Minister of Health.

The Letter of Intent outlines the willingness of both parties to co-operate in good faith with openness and transparency – all within the governing laws of Croatia, and the European Union informing a detailed assessment of the country's health care needs. As an integrated health care system, Steward's model addresses the wider health care needs of the populations and all ways to keep people healthy. The assessment will include a detailed review of the infrastructural needs, human resources capabilities, and equipment and technology upgrades.

About Steward Health Care

Steward Health Care, the largest private, for-profit hospital operator in the United States, is a physician-led health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where patients live. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Steward operates 38 community hospitals in the United States and the country of Malta that regularly receive top awards for quality and safety. The company employs approximately 40,000 health care professionals. The Steward network includes more than 25 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health services, over 7,300 beds under management, and approximately 1.5 million full risk covered lives through the company's managed care and health insurance services. The total number of paneled lives within Steward's integrated care network is projected to reach 3 million in 2018.

Steward's unique health care service delivery model leverages technology, innovation, and care coordination to keep patients healthier. With a culture that prioritizes agility, resourcefulness, and continuous improvement, Steward is recognized as one of the world's leading accountable care organizations. The Steward Health Care Network includes thousands of physicians who help to provide more than 12 million patient encounters per year. Steward Medical Group, the company's employed physician group, provides more than 4 million patient encounters per year. The Steward Hospital Group operates hospitals in Malta and states across the U.S., including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

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SOURCE Steward Health Care