The leadership teams from Day Kimball Healthcare and Covenant Health, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an affiliation agreement allowing both organizations to move forward with discussions aimed at Day Kimball Healthcare becoming a full member of Covenant Health.   

The news follows several months of thoughtful conversations between the two entities. Once details are worked out and regulatory approvals are granted, Day Kimball Healthcare will be able to leverage resources available through the Covenant Health system, including access to capital for investment in Information Technology platforms and an electronic health record while retaining its focus on its mission and the local community. No expectation was established for the affiliation to become final as the regulatory review and approval process is extensive.

“We have had many productive and encouraging conversations with the leadership of Day Kimball Healthcare,” said Stephen Grubbs, President/CEO of Covenant Health. “The agreement we signed today allows us to take the next steps in this process, including working out important details and filing requests for approval of the proposed transition with various regulatory agencies.”

As part of the proposed affiliation, Day Kimball’s hospital, medical group, home care, hospice and palliative care and four health centers located across Northeast Connecticut would be owned and operated by Covenant Health. Day Kimball Healthcare’s community-led board of directors will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to Covenant Health’s board of directors, preserving local influence on decisions. Like Day Kimball, Covenant Health shares a deep commitment to serving people of all faiths, backgrounds and incomes — just as Day Kimball does today.

“Day Kimball Healthcare is proud of our 127-year tradition of providing the highest quality care and always acting with the community’s best interest in mind,” said R. Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball Healthcare. “This affiliation with Covenant Health will further enhance our ability to serve our immediate community and beyond, and will also provide us the opportunity to make much needed investments in our electronic, physical, and clinical infrastructure.”

Covenant is a not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns and operates 12 skilled nursing and senior living communities and three hospitals spread throughout New England and into Pennsylvania. Much like Covenant Health, which has roots dating back 150 years, Day Kimball was founded in 1894 and has strong ties to the communities it serves. By joining forces with Covenant Health, Day Kimball Healthcare can achieve an economy of scale and operating efficiencies that will make more efficient, effective and financially viable — even during a time of unprecedented change in healthcare industry.

Day Kimball is a fully integrated health system that is comprised of Day Kimball Hospital, Day Kimball Medical Group and four ambulatory healthcare centers in Connecticut including Danielson, Dayville, Plainfield and Putnam. Day Kimball also operates Day Kimball HomeMakers, Day Kimball HomeCare and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut.

Both organizations are committed to keeping the community informed during the approval process. To learn more, please visit www.daykimball.org or www.covenanthealth.net.

About Covenant Health

Covenant Health of Tewksbury, Mass., is an innovative, Catholic regional health delivery network and a leader in values-based, not-for-profit health and eldercare. Covenant Health consists of hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living and independent senior residences, and community-based health and elder care organizations throughout New England and in Pennsylvania.

About Day Kimball Healthcare

Day Kimball Healthcare is a nonprofit community healthcare system composed of Day Kimball Hospital, Day Kimball Medical Group, Day Kimball Healthcare at Home, and healthcare centers in Danielson, Dayville, Plainfield, and Putnam. Its service area includes Northeast Connecticut as well as nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities. Day Kimball Healthcare’s comprehensive network employs more than 1,000 staff including nearly 300 associated, highly skilled physicians, surgeons and specialists. 

Photo Caption: Steve Grubbs, President/ CEO of Covenant Health, Janice Thurlow, Chairman of the Day Kimball Healthcare Board of Directors, and R. Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball Healthcare sign affiliation agreement at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, today, Tuesday, November 16, 2021.