(from left to right) Daniel A. Kane, President and CEO of (NHCC); County Executive Suozzi; and Michael J. Dowling, President and CEO of the North Shore-LIJ Health System announce an affiliation agreement between NHCC and the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System aimed at strengthening Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC).

NHCC, a New York Public Benefit Corporation and safety net provider for Nassau's residents, operates a major teaching hospital (NUMC) with a Level I Trauma Center, Nassau County's only Burn Center, a large extended care facility and a network of community health centers. The largest employer on Long Island, the North Shore-LIJ Health System includes 15 hospitals, a medical research institute, four long-term care facilities, three trauma centers, five home health agencies and dozens of outpatient centers throughout Long Island, Queens and Staten Island.

"By affiliating with one another to advance their shared commitment to better serve the healthcare needs of the residents of Nassau County, NHCC and North Shore-LIJ Health System will focus on the best interests of their patient population by improving access to clinical services and operational efficiencies consistent with their mission," said Mr. Suozzi. "It is a win-win situation for the residents of Nassau County, and is another positive step in our continuing efforts to ensure the long-term viability of NUMC, a vitally important institution."

"Under pressure from the county to improve its bottom line, Nassau University Medical Center has recently made great strides towards improving its fiscal condition by restructuring itself and implementing long-overdue management reforms," said Mr. Weitzman. "The hospital's new affiliation with the North Shore-LIJ Health System will ensure that it can concentrate on its core mission -- to become an excellent community medical center, in addition to its critical role as a safety net for the county's most vulnerable residents."

The affiliation's primary priority is to enhance NHCC's clinical programs and associated graduate medical programs. "The affiliation is a strategic step forward for NHCC," said Mr. Gottlieb. Mr. Kane added, "This affiliation is part of NHCC's plans to fulfill its mission by enhancing patient services and strengthening its teaching programs, while working together to eliminate health care disparities."

Mr. Dowling stated, "As the region's largest health care provider, the North Shore-LIJ Health System is committed to working with NHCC to deliver more accessible, higher quality health care to Nassau County residents. This new alliance will enable us to build on the progress we have already achieved through the Nassau Partnership for Healthy Communities, a coalition of county health officials, other hospitals in Nassau County and community groups that North Shore-LIJ organized in 2003 to meet the needs of medically underserved communities."

The initial term of this affiliation will continue for a period of five years and may be terminated upon mutual agreement with at least one year's prior written notice. Both entities will remain independent and continue to be responsible for their respective assets, operations, liabilities and will continue their separate corporate existences under the direction of their respective governing boards.