The Geary Community Hospital Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an affiliation between the hospital and Stormont-Vail Healthcare in Topeka.

Gary Drake, Geary Community Hospital Board of Trustees Chair,  was asked what he liked about the arrangement. “I like the fact that we have a relationship with a hospital that we look to for innovation and solutions to problems, and yet it will be done in a way that they do not make the decision for us.” Drake added it will still be Geary Community’s decision, and GCH can send patients anywhere they choose. “Our doctors will have resources available to them, our administration will have resources available to them. It just I think opens a door to the future for Geary Community Hospital.”

Benefits that could be provided by the affiliation that were cited by Geary Community CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton, included sharing of knowledge and expertise, the ability to participate in group buying including supplies at a lower unit cost, more clinical integration between physicians, and educational benefits.

Stratton reported that the trustees for Stormont-Vail also approved the affiliation on Tuesday.

Stratton has made it clear this is an affiliation to collaborate. It is not a merger. GCH is not being acquired by Stormont Vail, and it is not a management operation where Stormont-Vail would manage the operation and finances of Geary Community Hospital.