MedQuest Signs Joint Venture Agreements with Multiple Health Systems, Emerges as Leading Outpatient Imaging Partner

In today’s healthcare environment with unprecedented pressure on providers to develop cost-effective and accessible diagnostic imaging networks, MedQuest Associates has emerged as a leading outpatient radiology partner for hospitals and health systems. Focusing on the outpatient imaging business exclusively for over 24 years, MedQuest is one of the largest, most experienced and most successful providers in the country, currently managing a network of 45 imaging centers across seven states.

“MedQuest leverages its deep expertise in outpatient imaging to focus on partnerships with hospital and health systems. We have seen strong interest and entered into multiple agreements for our comprehensive services, which are headlined by outpatient imaging management and joint ventures (JV) and referring physician engagement,” stated Bruce Elder, CEO of Atlanta-based MedQuest. “We specialize in delivering quality outpatient imaging at economically sustainable and consumer-friendly rates, which is increasingly important as patients bear a greater share of healthcare costs.”

“MedQuest brings more than two decades of experience to partnering with hospitals and health systems in outpatient imaging,” said Elder. “The capabilities we have developed as one of the leading companies in the industry can deliver better performance, enhanced patient experience and increased market share for our partners.”

To fulfill its goal of serving as a long-term operating partner for a hospital or health system, MedQuest can make a capital commitment and serve as the full turnkey manager of imaging centers, ensuring the highest likelihood of maximum performance for all of the partners. MedQuest also offers its partners flexibility in joint venture structures and equity arrangements.
MedQuest’s recent partnerships and major relationships with health systems include:

  • University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, University of Maryland Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, PA and MedQuest Associates entered into a joint venture to develop and operate a full-modality outpatient diagnostic imaging center in La Plata, Maryland. University of Maryland Charles Regional Imaging recently opened with MedQuest managing the day-to-day operations of the center.
  • North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) has purchased a majority interest in The Imaging Center in Tupelo and partnered with MedQuest as a joint venture partner in the business. MedQuest purchased a minority interest in the center and has assumed management of daily operations.
  • FirstHealth of the Carolinas Inc., MedQuest and its affiliates have partnered to operate FirstHealth Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging, an existing outpatient diagnostic imaging facility located in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
  • Novant Health, a 15-hospital integrated delivery network, relies on MedQuest to manage its entire portfolio of outpatient imaging centers and mobile imaging assets across North Carolina.

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities with a network of 45 imaging centers under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), and referring physician engagement. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for its partners. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center Opens New Imaging Center in La Plata, Maryland

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center announces the opening of a new outpatient imaging center in partnership with two other organizations. University of Maryland Charles Regional Imaging (UM CRI), located at 5 North La Plata Court, Suite 104 in La Plata, Maryland, offers state-of-the art imaging services, including 3T MRI, Arthrography, CT, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Mammography and Bone Densitometry.

UM CRI provides patients and referring physicians with high-quality imaging services and is staffed by expert board-certified and fellowship-trained radiologists from University of Maryland School of Medicine and certified technologists who are dedicated to delivering thorough, accurate and prompt reports as well as high-quality compassionate patient care. The center offers flexible scheduling featuring same-day or next-day appointments (insurance permitting) and 24-hour report turnaround for referring physicians.

The University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM CRMC), University of Maryland Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, PA (DISPA), and MedQuest Associates, Inc. have entered into a joint venture to develop and operate the full-modality outpatient diagnostic imaging center.

DISPA represents the outpatient practices of the University of Maryland Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and provides academic subspecialty radiologists (covering multiple clinical subspecialties) to interpret the studies performed at the center. MedQuest Associates, a leading national provider of imaging management services for health systems, will manage the day-to-day operations of the center.

“Our community is growing,” said Noel Cervino, President and CEO of UM CRMC, “and the need for access to the highest quality medical options close to home has never been greater. We are the only center in the area to bring partners like DISPA, who are University of Maryland sub-specialty, faculty radiologists, together with MedQuest, a national leader in imaging management.” Mr. Cervino added, “As a community hospital, we are committed to bringing the best medicine to the citizens of Charles County and the surrounding areas.”

Elias R. Melhem, MD, Chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at University of Maryland School of Medicine, added, “ Working with our partners at UM Charles Regional Medical Center and MedQuest Associates to plan and build the imaging center has been such an enjoyable experience. There is a positive energy around this joint venture because we are aligned in our goals to provide convenient, high quality, state-of-the-art and cost effective care to our patients, and we look forward to opening the center and taking care of our patients.”

Bruce Elder, CEO of MedQuest Associates, added, “We are thrilled to be partnering with two organizations that are committed to providing the highest quality care to patients in southern Maryland. Together with UM Charles Regional Medical Center and University of Maryland Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, we have the capabilities to provide patients and physicians with an outstanding combination of technology, convenience, clinical expertise and cost-effectiveness.”

For more information, visit www.charlesregionalimaging.com or call 301-539-0345.

About University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
UM Charles Regional Medical Center is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System and serves as regional, not-for-profit, integrated health system serving Charles County and the surrounding areas of southern Maryland. Our mission is to always provide excellent patient care as measured by the population’s health, clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost effectiveness. UM Charles Regional Medical Center will remain the premier place to receive care and the premier place to provide care. For more information, visit www.charlesregional.org.

About UM Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, PA
DISPA represents the outpatient practices of the University of Maryland Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of specialized health conditions through advanced technology and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Our team of experts is made up of more than 70 clinical and research faculty, including some of the nation’s most accomplished physician leaders in radiology. We thoughtfully plan and implement state-of-the-art imaging equipment and technology to offer the best possible patient care. For more information, visit www.umfpi.org/dispa.

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities and hospital radiology services, with a network of nearly 50 imaging centers and 14 acute care hospital radiology departments under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest also provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), referring physician engagement and service line performance consulting. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for its partners. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.