(St. Louis) March 16, 2012 – Ascension Health Alliance, the parent organization of Ascension Health, and Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS), a regional health system with 22 sites, including six hospitals, providing patient care on the California coast, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intended to lead to DCHS becoming part of Ascension Health.
“Daughters of Charity Health System shares Ascension Health’s commitment to serve all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, President and CEO of Ascension Health Alliance. “Both organizations are committed to providing quality, compassionate care to the whole person—body, mind and spirit.”
DCHS is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Province of the West. Four other Provinces of the Daughters of Charity, together with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, were the original Sponsors of Ascension Health when the health system was formed in 1999. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Alexian Brothers also now participate in Sponsorship of Ascension Health Alliance.
“We are excited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding,” said Robert Issai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Daughters of Charity Health System. “Joining Ascension Health will strengthen DCHS and Catholic health care while continuing our mission of providing comprehensive, excellent health care that is compassionate and attentive to the whole person.”
Due diligence will occur in the coming weeks and months. There is no specific schedule for reaching a definitive agreement, but the organizations anticipate completing the process by year end. Specific terms of the MOU and the agreement are confidential.
About Ascension Health Alliance:
Ascension Health Alliance is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Ascension Health Alliance is transforming health care 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 $1.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 121,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Other Ascension Health Alliance subsidiaries focus on a wide range of service areas, including treasury management services, venture capital investing, global mission support and medical engineering services. Another subsidiary, Ascension Health Care Network, a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital Partners, provides an alternative funding source for the acquisition of Catholic hospitals and other health care provider entities.
About Daughters of Charity Health System:
Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. Our hospitals include: Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles; and St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood. DCHS was formed in response to the health care needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 8,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit. For more information on DCHS, please visit www.dochs.org.
For more information contact:
Trudy C. Hamilton
Ascension Health
314.733.8207 Office
thamilton@ascensionhealth.org
Patricia Smith
Daughters of Charity Health System
650.917.4520 Office
PatriciaSmith@dochs.org
