FOR IMMEADIATE RELEASE Contacts: Ty Erickson Sheila Hart Chief Executive Officer Administrator Falls Memorial Hospital Duluth Clinic – International Falls (218) 283-5400 (218) 285-6254 International Falls Healthcare Leaders Sign Letter of Intent Exploration of potential hospital-clinic partnership continues Leaders of Falls Memorial Hospital and SMDC Health System, which owns Duluth Clinic-International Falls, have signed a formal letter of intent outlining their efforts to consider a potential partnership. “Given the many challenges facing today’s healthcare providers, it makes sense to explore the opportunities for partnering to provide expanded and improved services to our patients,” explains Ty Erickson, Chief Executive Officer at Falls Memorial Hospital. “Our commitment to top-quality patient care is guiding our ongoing discussions,” says Clinic Administrator Sheila Hart. But hospital and clinic leaders caution that this development is part of a long and complex process. No final decisions have been made yet. Neutral legal and financial consultants are evaluating various partnership models. The letter of intent is not a binding agreement. Instead, it sets forth several goals and objectives that would need to be met under any potential partnership. Work groups are convening to examine issues, and will include members from the Falls Memorial Board of Trustees and administration, along with SMDC administration and clinic leaders. The letter of intent indicates that a formal decision on whether to proceed will be made by the end of the year. “Through our discussions so far, we believe we can be stronger if we work together,” Erickson says. “Of course,” Hart adds, “We want to make sure any arrangement will benefit our patients, community and both of our organizations.”