(St. Louis) April 22, 2013 − Patricia Maryland, Dr.PH, has been promoted to President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health, effective July 1. Dr. Maryland will continue her roles as Michigan Ministry Market Leader for Ascension Health and President and CEO of St. John Providence Health System (SJPHS) in Detroit, a member of Ascension Health, through June 30.
Dr. Maryland has more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience. Prior to joining St. John Providence in 2008, she served as President of St.Vincent Hospitals and Health Care Services and Regional Chief Operating Officer of St.Vincent Health in Indianapolis, another member of Ascension Health; as President of Sinai-Grace Hospital and Senior Vice President with the Detroit Medical Center; Chief Operating Officer at Sinai-Grace; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for North Oakland Medical Centers in Pontiac, Mich.; and, several leadership roles with The Cleveland Clinic. Over the past five years she has led SJPHS on a transformational journey to a new way of operating that ensured the viability of the health system during one of the worst economic periods in Michigan history.
Among her recent accomplishments, Dr. Maryland worked in collaboration with physician leaders to lead the development of a new and innovative partnership with The Physician Alliance (TPA), a 2,200-member physician organization whose physician practices span five counties and 1,500 square miles of Southeast Michigan. This dynamic Physician-Hospital Organization, called Partners in Care, aligns the health system and TPA physicians to be successful in managing populations to better outcomes. The model was recognized and rewarded by Blue Cross in Michigan for up to three years of funding in support of developing a “new continuum of care” that will be unique in the marketplace and will position both St. John Providence and The Physician Alliance for the changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act.
In 2005, Dr. Maryland chaired the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group; she was selected by the Comptroller General of the United States from a pool of more than 530 candidates. The 15-member Working Group was tasked with developing recommendations for the President and Congress that would result in “Health Care that Works for All Americans.” She continues to maintain positive working relationships with government and regulatory agencies at both the state and federal levels.
“Pat’s farsighted and thoughtful approach has been instrumental to advancing Ascension Health’s Mission in Michigan and reaffirming our dedication to the region,” said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Health. “She has motivated her Health Ministry and other Health Ministries in Michigan to aggressively look ahead to determine how to best serve a radically changed Michigan going forward. I look forward to Pat bringing her gifts and experience to her new, broader role in service to our national ministry.”
“The Michigan Market of Ascension Health has begun leveraging our Health Ministries within the state to eliminate duplicate costs, pursue statewide contracting and develop enhanced revenue opportunities,” Dr. Maryland said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to share such successes and the lessons we’ve learned in Michigan with my colleagues across Ascension Health, and to contributing in an even more far-reaching way to our common success in serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable.”
The search for new leadership to succeed Dr. Maryland in Michigan is under way.
Charles J. Barnett, FACHE, who currently serves as President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health, will transition to a new role as Executive Chairman of the Board of the Seton Healthcare Family in Austin, Texas. He also will work closely with the leadership of Ascension Health Alliance, the parent organization of Ascension Health, to advance the national ministry’s transformational agenda, strengthen the effectiveness of local governing boards, and foster development of systems of health services and care for those who are poor and vulnerable that is person-centric and sustainable.
ST. LOUIS (APRIL 1, 2013) – Effective today, three regional health systems that comprised the Marian Health System have joined Ascension Health. St. Louis-based Ascension Health Alliance, parent organization of Ascension Health, reached an agreement with Marian Health System. Ascension Health is the largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system in the nation.
The three health systems are Ministry Health Care in Wisconsin and Minnesota, St. John Health System in Oklahoma, and Via Christi Health in Kansas, which has been an affiliate of Ascension Health since 2007. Marian Health System was founded by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in 1989.
“Ascension Health Alliance and the health systems of Marian share a common mission of serving all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health Alliance. “We also share a commitment to providing spiritually centered, holistic care and advocating for a compassionate and just society through actions and words. This joining together is another expression of our ongoing commitment to strengthen Catholic healthcare.”
“We’re excited to welcome the three health systems of Marian to our national health ministry,” said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health. “Adding their strengths and expertise to those of Ascension Health creates a combined ministry that is even better able to live our Mission of serving all and to position ourselves to meet the needs of our communities.”
Nicholas F. Desien, in addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ministry Health Care, has agreed to also serve as Ascension Health Ministry Market Leader for Wisconsin, Kansas and Oklahoma. As Ministry Market Leader, Mr. Desien will provide leadership, support and direction to the Health Ministries in these three states, sharing accountability for their strategic positioning and operational performance.
“We’re pleased that Nick Desien has agreed to add the role of Ministry Market Leader to his responsibilities,” Mr. Henkel said, “and our executive leadership community looks forward to working closely with him and with all of the leaders, associates and physicians across the three new Health Ministries of Ascension Health.”
In addition, Sister Therese Gottschalk, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Marian Health System, has agreed to assume a new role as Executive Advisor to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Health, where her experience and knowledge will be invaluable in supporting the transition of the new Health Ministries. She will continue to serve on the Boards of Ministry Health Care, St. John Health System and Via Christi Health.
The process to bring Ascension Health and Marian Health System together began more than two years ago, when, recognizing the challenges facing hospitals around the country and the imminent demands and opportunities of healthcare reform, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and its health systems’ leadership pursued a strategy to identify a national partner.
Marian Health System leadership determined Ascension Health to be the best fit because of the alignment of Mission, values and management styles across both organizations.
“Ascension Health shares our goal of serving the community, with special attention to the poor,” Sister Therese said. “By joining representatives of other religious congregations and laypersons in the sponsorship structure of Ascension Health Alliance, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother are able to ensure Catholic healthcare in the United States remains strong.”
The health systems announced plans to enter into the agreement in August 2012. Specific terms of the final agreement are confidential. The agreement includes Marian’s hospitals and more than 180 hospitals, clinics and other sites of care throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Ministry Health Care is the second healthcare ministry of Ascension Health in Wisconsin, joining Columbia St. Mary’s in the greater Milwaukee area. Columbia St. Mary’s operates four hospitals and 62 clinics serving families in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Sheboygan counties and has been a ministry of Ascension Health since its founding in 1999.
About Ascension Health Alliance
Ascension Health Alliance is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Last year Ascension Health Alliance, through its subsidiary Ascension Health, provided more than $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries now employ more than 150,000 associates serving in more than 1,500 locations in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
About Ministry Health Care
Ministry Health Care, which includes the recently acquired Affinity Health System, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving more than 1.1 million people across Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Ministry operations generate more than $2.2 billion in annual operating revenue with 15 hospitals, 46 clinics and nearly 12,000 employees. More than 650 physicians and advanced practice clinicians provide personalized care at Ministry primary and specialty care clinic locations. Home healthcare, hospice and long-term care services are also provided across the region.
About St. John Health System
St. John Health System is a fully integrated healthcare system that encompasses eight hospitals in northeastern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, including St. John Medical Center, St. John Owasso, St. John Broken Arrow, St. John Sapulpa, Jane Phillips Medical Center, Pawhuska City Hospital, Sedan City Hospital and Nowata Hospital. Other subsidiaries of the St. John Health System include OMNI Medical Group and Family Medical Care primary care physicians, St. John Physicians, Inc., a multi-specialty group physician practice; St. John Villas senior living centers, St. John Urgent Care centers and other outpatient treatment centers. More than 7,000 associates are employed by St. John.
About Via Christi Health
Via Christi Health is the largest provider of healthcare services in Kansas. Via Christi employs more than 10,000 in its hospitals, senior villages, physician offices and health services. In fiscal year 2012, it provided $90.5 million in community benefit to those it serves, including the poor. Visit viachristi.org.
(Hartford, Conn; St. Louis) January 16, 2013 – Saint Francis Care, Inc., and Ascension Health Care Network announced today the signing of an exclusive Letter of Intent, opening the way for Saint Francis Care to join Ascension Health Care Network, with the vision of building a statewide, clinically integrated healthcare delivery system composed of high-quality providers committed to delivering an unequaled combination of healthcare quality and community value to residents across Connecticut.
Ascension Health Care Network is an affiliate of Ascension Health Alliance, the largest Catholic health system in the nation.
“We are very pleased that we and Ascension Health Care Network are pursuing the opportunity to join together,” said Christopher Dadlez, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. “This step follows a thorough examination of how best to ensure that the people we serve in our communities continue to receive a lifetime of the very best care possible,” said Dadlez.
“This is an important step in advancing the mission of both Ascension Health Care Network and Saint Francis Care,” said Leo P. Brideau, President and CEO of Ascension Health Care Network. “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.”
If an agreement is finalized, Saint Francis Care will become part of Ascension Health Care Network, an organization dedicated to strengthening Catholic healthcare in the United States and committed to providing care for the underserved in our communities. Ascension Health Care Network is a for-profit, taxable organization.
“Saint Francis, a 116-year-old institution, has consistently demonstrated its ability to be progressive in its delivery of world-class care while maintaining its longstanding tradition of quality and compassionate care,” said Karl J. Krapek, Saint Francis Board Member and Chairman of the Board’s Strategic Planning Committee. “Operating from our position of financial and clinical strength, we have been evaluating how best to position Saint Francis as healthcare continues to evolve, and we have concluded that this opportunity provides us with the potential to create a powerful, statewide presence to further build on the strengths of our operations that will benefit our communities, employees, physicians and other stakeholders.”
Ascension Health Care Network and Saint Francis Care will conduct due diligence and work toward the development of a definitive agreement in the coming months.
Specific terms of the Letter of Intent agreement are confidential.
About Ascension Health Alliance
Ascension Health Alliance is a Catholic healthcare organization dedicated to the transformation of healthcare through excellent clinical care throughout the continuum and through innovation. Its subsidiaries include Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system. Ascension Health provides the highest quality care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Last year Ascension Health provided $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 122,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Other Ascension Health Alliance subsidiaries focus on service areas including physician services, global mission support, treasury management, innovation acceleration, venture capital investing, and medical engineering. Its Ascension Health Care Network subsidiary is a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital Partners that provides an alternative funding source for the acquisition of Catholic hospitals and other healthcare provider entities.
About Ascension Health Care Network
Ascension Health Care Network is the nation’s first for-profit Catholic healthcare system. It provides the capital and expertise necessary to help strengthen Catholic and other health care providers while building regional delivery networks that ensure their ability to serve their communities long into the future. It maintains and improves the health and well-being of individuals and communities by providing high quality, efficient care that responds to people’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. As it adds significant value to communities, it provides an appropriate return to those whose investments have helped create that value.
About Saint Francis Care
Saint Francis Care is an integrated healthcare delivery system established by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, an anchor institution in north central Connecticut since 1897. Licensed for 617 beds and 65 bassinets, it is a major teaching hospital and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other major entities of Saint Francis Care include The Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Saint Francis/Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center, and the Joyce D. and Andrew J. Mandell Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care and Neuroscience Research. Its services are supported by a network of five major Access Centers and eight additional medical office centers sited throughout the region. For more information, visit www.stfranciscare.com.
