Overlake Medical Center and King County Hospital District 4 in Snoqualmie are in preliminary discussions about developing a partnership to serve the health care needs of the Snoqualmie Valley.

On July 3, commissioners from the hospital district signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with Overlake to pursue a potential partnership.

“We’re charged with safeguarding the health of residents of North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, Preston, Carnation and Snoqualmie Pass by providing excellent health care,” said Rodger McCollum, CEO of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital. “Overlake Medical Center’s mission to provide medical excellence every day and the hospital’s focus on quality and innovation are very much aligned with our charge as a hospital district.”

J. Michael Marsh, CEO of Overlake Medical Center, noted, “Our organization’s vision of providing exceptional quality and compassionate care to every life we touch is very much in line with Snoqualmie Valley Hospital. Both organizations are deeply focused on taking care of the health care needs of the Eastside and we both share a strong focus on quality, innovation and collaborative care.”

A potential partnership with King County Hospital District 4 seems a natural step, the two entities said in a news release, as Overlake already serves patients from that area who are in need of expanded services not currently available in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Discussions between the two organizations are expected to continue through the calendar year and final agreements are contingent upon extensive due diligence. The organizations will file for state regulatory approval for the potential partnership later this summer through the Certificate of Need process. A final agreement is not expected until 2015.