Allina Health and Consulting Radiologists, Ltd., agree to outpatient imaging joint venture

MINNEAPOLIS, April 15, 2014  -- Allina Health and Consulting Radiologists, Ltd. (CRL) announced a new joint venture to operate high tech imaging services in the west and southwest metro areas of the Twin Cites on April 14.  The new venture is named Twin Cities Medical Imaging and includes two sites in Edina, Minn., with additional sites expected in the future.

"We at CRL are excited to have this new opportunity to work even more closely with Allina Health through Twin Cities Medical Imaging. We believe our joint venture will provide improved access to high quality imaging services as well as an enhanced patient and referring physician experience," said CRL president and radiologist, Dr. Chris Tillotson.

Dr. Tillotson also stated that CRL has enjoyed a strong relationship with Allina Health in Minnesota for many years.

This collaborative approach to providing high tech outpatient imaging is done to optimize patient access, maximize cost effectiveness, and rationalize capital expenditures in providing these services. Allina Health and CRL will provide key access points in these designated areas for high tech outpatient imaging to which patients from both Allina Health and independent practices can refer to for convenient, high quality, patient centered care.

"Both organizations have a strong commitment to provide patients and their families with exceptional care and service," said Allina Health imaging director, Kathleen Inveen.

"We are collaborating to improve access to care for patients in the southwest and west metro communities, as well as eliminate unnecessary duplication of radiology services," said Karen Flanagan Kleinhans, director of strategy and business development for CRL.

Kleinhans also stated that CRL would serve as the exclusive provider for professional reads and manage both centers.

Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospitals, 15 pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide home care, senior transitions, hospice care, oxygen and home medical equipment, and emergency medical transportation services.

Consulting Radiologists, Ltd. (CRL) is a physician-owned practice that has been serving patients and providers throughout the upper midwest for 84 years. CRL's 83 board-certified radiologists represent all imaging subspecialties, including breast, body, diagnostic, interventional, neuroradiology, interventional neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, nuclear medicine and pediatrics.