MDNews - Central New York

+++++++++++++++++++ + +++ +lOCAl NEWS +++ +++++++++++++++++++ Health, both organizations announced fol- provide exceptional care with the same lowing the signing of a nonbinding Letter providers patients have come to know of intent (LOi) by their boards. CHe Trinity and trust. Health was formed in May 2013 when "Most importantly, St. Joseph's will re- into since consolidating. St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center is a nonprofit, 431-bed hospital and healthcare system in Syracuse, N.Y., providing ser- Catholic Health east and Trinity Health tain its governance structure and continue vices to patients in 16 counties in Central merged to form a new Catholic health- to operate locally, while gaining additional New York. Through prevention programs care system with operations in 21 states, support from the breadth of CHe Trinity and the latest diagnostic treatment pro- becoming the second-largest Catholic Health's combined strength, educa- cedures, St. Joseph's works with patients healthcare provider in the united States. tional opportunities and best practices," to achieve optimum long-term health. A The move would transition the sponsor- Ruscitto says. 14-time winner of the National Research ship of St. Joseph's from the Sisters of "CHe Trinity Health is committed to Corporation Consumer Choice Award, St. Francis of the Neumann Communities strengthening Catholic health care in the St. Joseph's is affiliated with Franciscan to Catholic Health Ministries, the entity united States, and we are delighted that Companies and sponsored by the Sisters that sponsors CHe Trinity Health. St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center shares of St. Francis. "When CHe and Trinity Health con- our future vision," says Judy Persichilli, CHe Trinity Health is one of the largest interim President and Chief executive multi-institutional Catholic healthcare which we wanted to be a part because Officer, CHe Trinity Health. "With our delivery systems in the nation. it serves of the promise its new ministry offers. scale and scope, commitment to excep- people and communities in 21 states We are very pleased to be aligning with tional care, and a unified voice for serving from coast to coast, with 82 hospitals, 89 an organization that not only shares our vulnerable people, we believe we can help continuing care facilities, and home health mission of service but also has a national St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center meet and hospice programs that provide nearly reputation for developing collabora- the challenges of healthcare reform and 2.8 million visits annually. it was formed tive quality care," says Kathryn Ruscitto, continue to provide outstanding care for in May 2013, when Trinity Health and President and Chief executive Officer of residents of Central New York." Catholic Health east closed their consoli- solidated, we saw a new organization of St. Joseph's. "This alignment will provide "The Sisters of St. Francis fully sup- dation to strengthen their shared mission, a strong financial foundation for the port St. Joseph's decision to align with increase excellence in care and advance future of St. Joseph's and help ensure our CHe Trinity Health," says Sister Roberta transformative efforts with their unified ability to meet the potential challenges of Smith, General Minister of the Sisters of voice. With annual operating revenues of healthcare reform." St. Francis. "We strongly believe CHe about $13.3 billion and assets of about Trinity Health will provide a strong vi- $19.3 billion, the new organization returns able St. Joseph's to access the resources sion, bound by faith, for the future of almost $1 billion to its communities annu- and economies of scale provided by a St. Joseph's and the benefit of the Central ally in the form of charity care and other large health system while continuing to New York community. We remain commit- community benefit programs. it employs ted to the mission of St. Joseph's more than 87,000 people, including 4,100 and will continue to lend our spiritual employed physicians. The consolidated support for the compassionate good ministry is committed to those who are works of the institution." poor and underserved in its communities Ruscitto explains that the move will en- Over the coming months, St. Joseph's and is known for its focus on the country's will be working closely with CHe Trinity aging population. As a single, unified Health to perform the necessary due ministry, the organization is the innovator diligence required before finalization of senior emergency departments and the of an agreement, as well as educate all largest not-for-profit provider of home stakeholders on the significant benefits healthcare services — ranked by number this relationship will bring to the Central of visits — in the nation, as well as the na- New York community. When CHe Trinity tion's leading provider of the Program of Health joined together in May 2013, the All-inclusive Care for the elderly, based on new organization indicated it would wel- the number of programs. come other health systems that shared its For additional information, visit www.trinity-health.org, www.che.org or www.newhealthministry.org. ■ vision. The nonbinding LOi is the first such agreement CHe Trinity Health has entered

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