To Seek the Future, We Must Look to the Past: A Health Center Merger on Hawai`i Island

While business and finance interests drive the blueprint of mergers and acquisitions, the role of operations and organizational culture is often overlooked or undervalued. We posit that a successful health center merger is defined by the degree of collaboration between merging teams; with processes rooted in integrity, respect, and the unique values of each organization. “I ka wa ma mua, I ka wa ma hope: The future is found in the past,” a Hawaiian proverb, describes the spirit of the merger between the West Hawai’i Community Health Center and Bay Clinic, both located on Hawai’i Island. This session will address four areas relating to that merger process: (1) theoretical framework for collaboration; (2) organizational structure and culture; (3) importance of leadership development; and (4) our Merger Toolkit. Merger processes will focus on health center operations, including the intentional strategic planning process, facilitating alliance between teams, and taking a strengths-based approach to individual and staff development. Presenters will discuss the challenges faced in delivering healthcare in a diverse, rural community while staying grounded in the CHC mission.