The nation's largest Catholic health system is expanding.
Saint Francis Care, Inc. in Hartford, CT, has signed a letter of intent to join the for-profit Ascension Health Care Network.
Licensed for 617 beds and 65 bassinets, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center is the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Ascension Health Care Network, the nation's first for-profit Catholic health system, is an affiliate of Ascension Health Alliance, the nation's largest Catholic health system.
"This is an important step in advancing the mission of both Ascension Health Care Network and Saint Francis Care," Leo P. Brideau, president/CEO of Ascension Health Care Network, said in prepared remarks.
"We share a common goal of providing high-quality, efficient care that responds to people's physical, emotional and spiritual needs while aggressively advocating for the well-being of our patients and their families, and ensuring healthcare is available to those who are poor and vulnerable. We believe this relationship has the potential to improve healthcare at both the state and regional level."
Specific terms of the agreement are confidential. Ascension Health Care Network subsidiary is a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital Partners that provides alternative funding sources for provider acquisitions.
Maine's Mercy Health System to merge into EMHS
Portland-based Mercy Health System of Maine on Jan. 14 signed a letter of agreement that will "integrate" the system into Brewer-based Eastern Maine Healthcare.
"Signing the definitive agreement is another significant step toward fulfilling our bright future as a member of EMHS," Eileen F. Skinner, president/CEO of Mercy Health System of Maine, said in prepared remarks. "EMHS supports our mission and our identity as a Catholic healthcare system. We look forward to continuing to work with our EMHS colleagues through the approval process and the eventual integration of Mercy into EMHS."
The definitive agreement details the actions and commitments both health systems will undertake for Mercy to become an EMHS member. In addition to a commitment to operate Mercy according to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, a local board will continue to provide oversight for Mercy, the two health systems said in a joint media release.
The regulatory approval process is expected to take six to nine months, and will require the approval of the Vatican. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Chester County (PA) Hospital and Health to join Penn Health
The Chester County Hospital and Health System this month signed of a non-binding letter of intent to join the University of Pennsylvania Health System. TCCHHS already has existing relationships with Penn in the areas of cancer, radiology, radiation oncology and maternal fetal medicine.
"Throughout this process we spoke with many excellent organizations, but it quickly became clear to our Strategic Planning Committee and our Board of Directors that the potential to join the University of Pennsylvania Health System was the best decision for our community and our Health System," William W. Wylie, Jr., chairman of TCCHHS said in prepared remarks.
The Chester County Hospital has 220 beds and is building a new patient tower that will open this summer with capacity for an additional 72 rooms. The providers hope to finish the due diligence process and complete the transaction by this spring. Terms of the Letter of Intent were not disclosed.
Chicago's Holy Cross Hospital joins Sinai Health System
Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago joined the Sinai Health System on January 16 as a full corporate member, the two providers said in a joint announcement.
As a member of Sinai Health System, Holy Cross Hospital will remain a Catholic hospital and fully comply with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare. The Sisters of St. Casimir will continue as the religious sponsor of Holy Cross Hospital, according to the joint media statement.
Sinai Health System, a Chicago-based private, not-for-profit organization, is now comprised of seven member organizations: Mount Sinai Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Sinai Children's Hospital, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, Sinai Medical Group, Sinai Community Institute and Sinai Urban Health Institute.
The system has more than 800 physicians on its hospital medical staffs and 695 licensed beds. Sinai is an affiliate of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Billings (MT) Clinic Joins Mayo Clinic Care Network
Mayo Clinic this month named Billings (MT) Clinic as the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
Billings Clinic, Mayo's first affiliated health system in Montana, is the largest healthcare organization in the state and provides primary and specialty regional medical care for all of Montana, the western Dakotas and northern Wyoming, with a regional population of more than half a million. Billings Clinic is a community-governed, physician-led multispecialty healthcare organization with 3,600 full- and part-time employees, more than 320 physicians and non-physician providers, a 272-bed hospital, a research center and a 90-bed rehabilitation and assisted living facility.
"This new relationship creates an even closer connection between Billings Clinic and Mayo Clinic, giving patients with very complex health issues more efficient access to some of the world's most highly specialized clinical care at Mayo Clinic," Billings Clinic CEO Nicholas Wolter, MD, CEO, said in prepared remarks. "Culturally, our two organizations have many similarities, including a commitment to an integrated care delivery model and physician leadership.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.