Northwell Health partners with Surgical Specialty Center

Northwell Health on Tuesday said it has acquired 20 percent of Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester, an outpatient surgery center in Harrison, New York.

New Hyde Park-based Northwell has the right to purchase up to 51 percent of the group within five years, Northwell said.

Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester specializes in cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive, ophthalmologic, oculoplastic, hand, gynecologic, oral, and ear, nose and throat surgeries.

Its 34 surgeons are credentialed to perform surgery at the center, which cares for nearly 3,500 patients annually. The 10,891-square-foot facility has four operating rooms, five preoperative stations and six post-anesthesia care unit beds.

The agreement marks the ninth joint venture that Northwell Health has signed with operators of ambulatory surgery centers. Northwell said it plans to build a network of at least 20 centers.

Earlier this year, Northwell finalized an agreement to take over Westchester Health Associates, a network of physicians and specialty practices. Westchester Health has more than 100 providers in 39 locations throughout Westchester and Putnam counties in New York, as well as Stamford, Connecticut.

Northwell also runs Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow.

Northwell, with 62,000 employees, is the largest private employer in the state.