Linn County Anesthesiologists, PC (LCA), the area’s only anesthesiology practice, has formed an exclusive partnership with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, while Mercy Medical Center has announced it will have its own in-house anesthesiology services program, utilizing a dedicated physician team at the hospital.
The new partnership between UnityPoint and Linn County Anesthesiologists is effective Jan. 1, 2025.
According to a UnityPoint release, the collaboration marks a milestone in advancing surgical and anesthesia care for Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities.
Based in Hiawatha, LCA is an all-physician group providing anesthesia services, ensuring safe and effective care during surgeries and supports acute pain management following procedures.
“We are thrilled to partner with this group of highly-skilled and specially-trained anesthesiologists,” UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids President Casey Greene said. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional health care and ensures patients in our community have continued access to innovative and high-quality surgical care.”
LCA will also continue to work with Surgery Center Cedar Rapids, which is associated with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s.
Meanwhile, Mercy Medical Center’s new in-house anesthesiology services program will join Mercy’s team of 220 specialty and family practice medical providers, a hospital spokesperson said.
Mercy has successfully transitioned several services in-house in recent years, including cardiology and gastroenterology. and will now do the same with its anesthesiology services.
“This change will allow us to continue delivering the highest level of care and remain steadfast in our mission to meet the health care needs of our community with compassion and excellence,” the spokesperson said. “Mercy is excited that this new anesthesiology service will ensure that it has all the staffing needed to meet its growing surgical demand, allow greater scheduling flexibility and provide improved patient access.”
Linn County Anesthesiologists will continue serving Mercy through the end of their contract on Jan. 31, “and possibly for an extended period beyond that date,” the Mercy spokesperson said. “Going forward and through the transition, patient procedures will continue at Mercy as scheduled.”
