In October 2018, St. John Health System in Oklahoma announced plans to add Ascension to its name as part of a national effort to make it easier for patients and families to access the care they need and navigate their health.
Having completed the legal requirements for the name change, new external and internal signage began going up throughout the health system in October, officially putting into use the new brand, colors and names: Ascension St. John and Ascension Medical Group St. John.
This month, Ascension St. John is celebrating this journey and the benefits it has brought, and will continue to bring, to patients and their families, their caregivers, and the communities it serves throughout northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas.
The first One Ascension celebration was Monday morning, Feb. 10, at the main entrance of Ascension St. John Medical Center, where a $25 million renovation and rebrand is underway, funded by Ascension capital and significant community donations. Speakers included Sister Maureen McGuire, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer, Ascension; Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension; and Bishop David A. Konderla of the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
The celebration included a blessing by Bishop Konderla followed by a group photo in front of the recently installed Ascension trinity symbol, as mentioned in an extensive story at Tulsa World.
“Our trinity symbol being displayed all across Ascension Oklahoma reflects the power of our unified national brand – strength that supports our efforts to better advocate for and serve those who are poor and vulnerable here in Oklahoma, in southeastern Kansas, and in every community we are privileged to serve,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension.
“You might not see them every day. You might not think about your colleagues in Wichita, in Tennessee, in Michigan, Texas or Florida, but we are all now part of one Ascension. We are the front lines in our communities of caring for the poor and vulnerable,” Nick said, as quoted in Tulsa World. “Thank you for being the face of Catholic ministry for those we are privileged to serve. Thank you for being on this Ascension journey with all of us.”
“This is about much more than a new look and brand. It is a testament to the work that we, as part of a national system, are doing to ensure access to personalized care,” said Mike McBride, FACHE, Ascension St. John Regional President and Chief Operating Officer, who has led the unified brand transition with Candice Evans, Director, Ascension St. John Marketing and Communications.
“Adding the Ascension name reflects the strength of being part of a national network, but our Mission and our commitment to the communities we serve remain the same,” said Jeff Nowlin, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Oklahoma. “We look forward to continuing to serve our patients, their families and our community for many years to come.”
Celebrations are taking place throughout the week at other Ascension St. John sites of care as well.
