DENVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA), a leading independent provider of integrated health and kidney care services in the United States, announces a partnership with Rock Health, the first venture fund dedicated to digital health and a leader in fostering innovation in healthcare. 

The partnership will help facilitate direct connections between the diverse, innovative companies in Rock Health's portfolio and DaVita, to allow for opportunities to better serve DaVita's nearly two million patients, 67,000 teammates and 15,000 affiliated physicians around the world.

As a worldwide leader in healthcare services, DaVita will provide perspectives and strategic insights to Rock Health's entrepreneurs and help shape the future of innovation in human-centered healthcare.

"Health care is about the way we serve and treat our patients," said Kent Thiry, chairman and CEO of DaVita. "Our work with Rock Health is intended to advance the care and experience of our patients, today and in the future."

Throughout its history, DaVita has been at the forefront of innovation in patient care:

• First-ever renal-specific pharmacy, DaVita Rx
• Leader in home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatment for patients
• Led the shift to integrated kidney care through establishing chronic special needs plans (CSNPs) and End Stage Renal Disease Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs)
• Top kidney care online resource in the world, DaVita.com

Rock Health's mandate is impact, and it achieves this in part by supporting entrepreneurs striving to make healthcare massively better for every human being. Through its network of valuable industry partners with the same goal, Rock Health provides opportunities for its portfolio companies to work closely with leading providers like DaVita to accelerate innovation and improve care management.

"DaVita has innovation in its DNA and it's an honor to have them join us as a partner," said Bill Evans, managing director of Rock Health. "DaVita's reach and reputation as an industry-leading provider make this partnership particularly exciting for our portfolio companies."

To learn more, visit www.davita.com/about.  

About DaVita
DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is the parent company of DaVita Kidney Care and HealthCare Partners, a DaVita Medical Group. DaVita Kidney Care is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of September 30, 2016, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,318 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 186,000 patients. The company also operated 139 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. HealthCare Partners manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician networks in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, Colorado and Washington in its pursuit to deliver excellent-quality health care in a dignified and compassionate manner. As of September 30, 2016 HealthCare Partners provided integrated care management for approximately 750,000 patients. For more information, please visit DaVita.com/About.

About Rock Health
Rock Health is the first venture fund dedicated to digital health. Rock Health partners include AARP, AbbVie, Blue Shield of California, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, CVS Health, DaVita, Genentech, Sanofi, Sutter Health, and Takeda. For more information, visit rockhealth.com.

Contact Information
Kate Stabrawa
303-876-7527
Kate.stabrawa@davita.com

Danielle McGuinness
press@rockhealth.org

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SOURCE DaVita Inc.