The names have changed.

The signs have started going up.

Alegent Creighton Health and Alegent Creighton Clinic are officially here. But what does it mean for patients?

"The name change is symbolic of the partnership that has grown over many years between our organizations and I think the signal it’s going to send to the community is that this is a permanent, long-term, faith-based partnership in academics and clinical care across the region," says Alegent Creighton Health President & Chief Executive Officer Richard Hachten, II, FACHE.

Patients receiving care in one of the health system’s hospitals should not notice anything different – including those at Creighton University Medical Center, the location undergoing the most change. The hospital officially joined Alegent Creighton Health on September 1.

"It is business as usual," says Kevin Nokels, chief administrative officer for Creighton University Medical Center.

Alegent Creighton Clinic leadership assures patients that they will also continue to offer the same high quality care and exceptional experience the community has come to expect over the years from Alegent Health Clinic and Creighton Medical Associates. The two physician practice groups joined together under the new partnership as Alegent Creighton Clinic.

"First and foremost, patients should know that our goals remain unchanged," explains Rick Rolston, M.D., F.A.A.P., president and chief executive officer for the Clinic. "We strive to be the best place for our patients to receive care and the best place for our physicians and employees to practice medicine and work."

The added benefit of this alignment: patients now have greater access to services. Creighton Medical Associates was primarily a specialty group while Alegent Health Clinic was largely primary care. "Together our new organization will bring an expansion of services for all our patients," Dr. Rolston says.

That expansion includes more than 100 locations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa; quick access to immediate, non-emergent care at two Express Care and one Pediatric Express Care locations; as well as six convenient Quick Care locations.

"It is an exciting time in our history. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are thrilled to be a part of shaping the future of healthcare in the region," says Dr. Rolston.