Magee Rehabilitation's affiliation with the Jefferson Health System (JHS), Radnor, Pa., has been solidified now that final regulatory and other approvals have been given.

"Magee can become a full member of Jefferson Health System and the recently-formed Jefferson Rehabilitation Network, now that the Philadelphia County Orphans' Court has confirmed Magee's membership," said William E. Staas, Jr., M.D., Magee's president and medical director.

"Magee's affiliation with JHS will allow us to continue our mission to be a leading community resource for people with disabilities as well as for rehabilitation professionals," Dr. Staas said.

The affiliation with JHS required the sanction of the Orphans' Court because of a revision in the trustee's will, Dr. Staas explained. The Orphans' Court oversees the assets of nonprofit organizations. In addition, the Court wanted to ensure that Magee will continue to accept patients from various hospitals and health systems and return patients to their referring institutions.

JHS President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas S. Peters hailed the court's decision. "I'm pleased that the court believed, as we did, that Magee and the community would benefit and thrive from a partnership with Jefferson Health System," Mr. Peters said.

Magee will continue to manage and operate its facilities with JHS serving as its parent corporation. The affiliation will also ensure that Magee will be integral to the Jefferson Rehabilitation Network, the first integrated rehabilitation delivery system in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The network's existing and planned rehabilitation services include pediatric, adult and geriatric rehabilitation; sports medicine; outpatient care; work hardening and injury prevention.

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital opened it doors in 1958 as the region's first rehabilitation hospital. In 1985, Magee's brain injury rehabilitation program became the first in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Magee is partners with Jefferson as one of the nation's 18 federally designated centers for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Magee Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 16th and Race streets in Center City.

Jefferson Health System, formed in 1996, is a $1.7 billion organization that includes Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), Methodist Hospital Division of TJUH, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital and Paoli Memorial Hospital; Bryn Mawr Rehab for physical medicine and rehabilitation; Jefferson HealthCARE Physicians, a primary care network that includes such organizations as Great Valley Health in the Main Line area; JeffCARE, a Physician Hospital Organizations; and Jefferson Home Health.

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network recently finalized its affiliation with JHS, making Einstein a founding member of JHS. Albert Einstein Healthcare Network includes Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Hospital and Community Health Services, MossRehab, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health, and a number of outpatient satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare.

Earlier this year, Frankford Health Care Network (FHSC) and JHS signed a definitive agreement establishing FHSC as a founding member of JHS.

Jefferson Health System also has significant academic and clinical relationships with Jefferson Medical College and Thomas Jefferson University. In addition, Jefferson Health System has formed relationships with A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Del.; AtlantiCare Health System in Atlantic City, N.J.; Riddle Memorial Hospital; Pottstown Memorial Hospital; and Underwood-Memorial Health System in Woodbury, NJ.