(St. Louis) December 21, 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 along the California coast, have signed an affiliation agreement.
“We are pleased to be moving forward in our relationship with Ascension Health,” said Robert Issai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Daughters of Charity Health System. “This affiliation agreement will create significant opportunities for us to work with Ascension Health and benefit from their strategic expertise in many areas.”
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 what is now the Congregation of St. Joseph, 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.
“Daughters of Charity Health System and Ascension Health have a common commitment to serve all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health and Executive Vice President, Ascension Health Alliance. “This agreement will strengthen Catholic healthcare through our shared Mission.”
A Joint Advisory Committee will be formed consisting of representatives from both organizations. According to Issai, this committee will provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and strategic planning to enhance delivery of quality inpatient and outpatient care throughout California. “An affiliation agreement provides the necessary structure for DCHS to form collaborative relationships to create more efficient person-centered care for the people in our California communities,” he added.
About Ascension Health Alliance:
Ascension Health Alliance (www.ascensionhealthalliance.org) is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. 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 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 a wide range of service areas, including treasury management services, venture capital investing, global mission support and medical engineering services.
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. Its hospitals include: Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, MossBeach; 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 healthcare 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.