Longwood University has finalized a partnership with Potomac Healthcare Solutions, a company from Northern Virginia, who will manage the school’s health center.
“I’m pretty excited with what we have come up with,” said Longwood Associate Dean of Wellness and Campus Recreation, Matt McGregor. “They aren’t affiliated with any one health care system and we’re getting a group that has done this for 25 years. It’s not only the expertise level they bring, but the depth.”
McGregor stated, Potomac would come in and bring a perspective Longwood had not had before. The priorities of change would be clinics specifically for Longwood’s over 20 sport clubs, as well as an urgent care facility.
McGregor said, though an outsourced organization is coming in, student fees would not increase. “They (students) will not pay any more out of pocket, though student fees pay a big portion of our health center funding.”
According to a Longwood University press release, Potomac’s clientele extends to branches of the military, Fairfax County, Bethlehem Steel, and Chrysler. The deal will include a three-year initial contract, with seven successive, one-year contract options, starting next school year.
“The Potomac Healthcare team is proud to have been selected to serve the Longwood Lancer’s community,” said Thomas Burden, Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Potomac Healthcare Solutions. “We pledge our total commitment to delivering top-quality, patient-focused care, while working closely with the university to continuously improve services.”
Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tim Pierson, also commented on Longwood’s transition, “Potomac brings decades of health care management expertise to Longwood, and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”
According to McGregor, there were only two proposals submitted, a concerning number at first. “Obviously that causes a little worry from the quantity perspective, but as we went through the process and the proposals we put in, we started feeling really comfortable with Potomac,” said McGregor. “At that point it was just making sure we both felt comfortable with the deal.”
He added, “My initial thought was the more we receive, the better. But I don’t know if having ten options would have changed it. The more we went through this, the more comfortable we felt with Potomac.”
In a Rotunda article published last week, rumors were circulating of local Centra Southside Community Hospital being in the mix to partner with Longwood, but McGregor said they never presented a proposal. “We did talk to them (Centra), but for whatever reason they chose not to submit.”
According to McGregor, Potomac will be on campus at some entity within the semester. “I envision seeing them here right after spring break to start the transition process.”
The contract officially begins July 1, when Potomac will offer a blend of walk-in and scheduled care appointments.
