Ascension and Presence Health, a leading Catholic health system in Illinois, have signed a definitive agreement for Presence Health to join Ascension and become part of AMITA Health, a joint venture of Ascension’s Alexian Brothers Health System and Adventist Midwest Health, part of Adventist Health System.
Through this transaction, Presence Health will add its medical centers, outpatient facilities and other sites of care to the integrated health system of AMITA Health, with the goal of enhancing patient care while reducing costs throughout the communities served by the combined organizations. All Presence Health facilities will become part of AMITA Health except Presence Life Connections, which will join Ascension Living, Ascension’s senior care subsidiary. The transaction is expected to be finalized soon.
“Both our systems are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care for all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable,” said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension. “We believe that by coming together, we will strengthen Catholic healthcare as we provide affordable, accessible and quality care to the community.”
“AMITA Health associates and physicians are excited to take this step forward in partnering with our colleagues at Presence Health,” said Mark A. Frey, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMITA Health and Senior Vice President of Ascension Healthcare, a division of Ascension. “From our discussions the past several months, we know we share a strong commitment to providing care to all who need it in the many communities we are privileged to serve. Together, we can do even more to deliver the holistic care our patients and their families need, and do it even more efficiently.”
The transaction advances Presence Health’s and AMITA Health’s joint commitment to the mission of faith-based healthcare and will bring added benefits to those they serve. In addition, the highly successful Accountable Care Organizations of both systems will allow AMITA Health, with the addition of Presence Health, to even more efficiently and effectively address the growing emphasis on managing the health of large populations.
“Joining Ascension and AMITA Health is a natural evolution for Presence Health given our shared mission, vision and values to provide quality, faith-based care,” said Michael Englehart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Presence Health. “We will continue to deliver quality care for our patients and residents, as well as provide additional clinical opportunities and patient care resources to all our physicians and associates.”
