LOS ANGELES – Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and PIH Health have signed a letter of intent to jointly develop and operate service lines to enhance access and quality healthcare for the residents of eastern Los Angeles County.

Officials called the agreement "a natural evolution in the longstanding relationship between Keck Medicine of USC and PIH Health". For many years, Keck Medicine of USC has served as a primary quaternary referral center for PIH Health.
 
“Affiliating with one of the country’s preeminent academic health systems means better care for our community,” said James R. West, PIH Health president and chief executive officer. “PIH Health is the health and wellness partner for our community and we are striving to expand our capabilities and services to provide the best care possible for those we serve.

"This affiliation provides a unique opportunity to deliver comprehensive medical and surgical services and provide timely and convenient access to some of the best physicians in our region. We look forward to a long and beneficial partnership with Keck Medicine of USC.”

“We are proud to join with PIH Health, the foremost healthcare provider in eastern Los Angeles County,” added Thomas E. Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of Keck Medicine of USC.  “Our affiliation allows patients to have seamless access to leading-edge treatments that only a university-based medical enterprise such as Keck Medicine of USC provides – either onsite at our co-branded facilities in Whittier and Downey – or at our main health sciences campus in Los Angeles when high acuity care is required.”

“This affiliation provides a myriad of educational opportunities between the Keck School of Medicine of USC and PIH Health, with access to clinical trials, academic affiliation for the PIH Health residency programs, and teaching and training opportunities for USC residents and fellows,” said Keck School of Medicine of USC Interim Dean Rohit Varma, MD, MPH.