Longitude Health, formed in October 2024 by four health systems with the goal of enhancing core operational functions and transforming health system performance, has added a fifth health system: Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan
The organization was formed last year by Baylor Scott & White Health, Memorial Hermann Health System, Novant Health and Providence. Longitude said that Michigan Medicine will play an integral role in shaping the continued development of Longitude Health’s initial initiatives, including Longitude Rx (specialty pharmacy), Longitude PHM (population health), and Longitude FX (financial experience).
David Miller, M.D., M.P.H., president of U-M Health, will join the Longitude Health board of managers.
“The challenges in healthcare today require bold new models for collaboration and innovation,” said Miller in a statement. “By joining Longitude Health, we are embracing a new era of partnership—one that puts health systems at the center of solution development. We look forward to shaping initiatives in specialty pharmacy, population health and financial experience—as well as others to come—from the start, alongside some of the most forward-thinking systems in the country.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Michigan Medicine as a member of Longitude Health,” said Brett Moraski, interim CEO of Longitude Health, in a statement. “Their reputation as one of the nation’s top academic health systems—and their deep bench of clinical, operational, and innovation leaders—makes them an invaluable partner. Their participation strengthens our ability to deliver on the Longitude Health mission and scale solutions that will improve health care for patients and providers across the country.”
Founding CEO of Longitude Health, Paul Mango, passed away recently, and Moraski stepped in as interim CEO.
Longitude hired Jigar Thakkar, Pharm.D., M.B.A., as the CEO of Longitude Rx, a specialty pharmacy initiative. The goal is to improve patient access and adherence to specialty medications by providing solutions that support health systems in managing their specialty pharmacies.
Craig Samitt, M.D., is heading up Longitude PHM (population health management), which will focus on optimizing care delivery for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Shared Savings Program, and other ACO beneficiaries.
Longitude named Jim Lester as chief executive officer of Longitude FX, an initiative focused on reshaping the patient financial experience. The new initiative will seek to tackle the complex billing challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers, striving to create a seamless and transparent financial experience.
Longitude said it will continue to welcome other progressive health systems that share its mission and values.
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