Agreement states Ascension facilities will maintain their Catholic identities, with conversations 'ongoing' for the future
DETROIT — Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan have signed an agreement that will create a joint venture between the two health care systems' southeast Michigan facilities.
The agreement would create a $10.5 billion health care system based in Detroit that would employ approximately 50,000 people across 550 health care sites, according to a news release from Henry Ford Health. The combined organization would continue under the Henry Ford Health name.
The two health care organizations announced Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery, Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, Ascension River District Hospital in East China, Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren and Madison Heights, Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi and Southfield, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital and related sites will be part of the expanded organization.
Ascension hospitals and health care facilities in Michigan's southwest and northern regions are not included in the agreement.
Robert Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, heralded the agreement as a positive for both health care systems, as well as patients.
“Together we can expand health care services and deliver innovations in care — from prevention and early detection through the treatment of complex conditions — to more people and communities across our state, including those who are most vulnerable,” Riney said. “We share a deeply-rooted dedication to providing world-class health care that everyone deserves, regardless of geographic, demographic, or socioeconomic status.”
Riney will lead the expanded organization, headquartered in Detroit and governed by a board of directors with representatives from Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan.
For now, the Ascension facilities will retain their Catholic identity, the news release said.
“Both organizations are committed to working to maintain the Catholic identity of the Ascension Michigan facilities included in the partnership,” a statement from Henry Ford read. “Conversations on the future state of the Catholic identity of these facilities are ongoing.”
Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron and his delegates to health care institutions, Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Gerard W. Battersby and Msgr. Michael Bugarin are “attentive to this process and will work with Ascension Michigan to understand how they will preserve their Catholic identity going forward,” according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Detroit.
The announcement said the joint venture will allow both organizations to advance the health of the communities they serve by establishing an integrated network focused on population health and community initiatives that support the region’s move vulnerable populations, as well as innovation, academic medicine, and advanced, complex care.
“We are united in our shared values, culture, and commitment to those we serve,” said Carol Schmidt, senior vice president for Ascension, and ministry market executive for Ascension Michigan. “Together, we will make significant strides in improving the health of Michigan communities through unparalleled investments in critical community health initiatives, as well as contributing secure, high-paying jobs and other related employment.”
In the statement from Henry Ford Health, the joint venture would allow for an expanded care network that would offer opportunities to coordinate, grow and adapt services and care between the two systems.
“Patients across Michigan will have more access than ever to end-to-end health care services, from primary care through complex specialty care and procedures,” said Dr. Doug Apple, chief clinical officer for Ascension Michigan. “Together, we will coordinate existing and expanded services to surround our patients with what they need to live healthy lives — with more options closer to home. By focusing on the creation of an integrated, streamlined healthcare journey, we can improve the consumer experience, improve care coordination, and provide superior value.”
The agreement is still under regulatory review from federal and state agencies, with an expectation the transition will close in the summer 2024.
Ascension Health, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., was formed in 1999 from a merger between the Daughters of Charity National Health System and Sisters of St. Joseph Health System.
Ascension Health has 139 hospitals and 39 senior care facilities spread across 19 states the District of Columbia.
Henry Ford Health started with Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in 1915 and since has expanded to more than 250 locations throughout Michigan, including hospitals in Detroit, Jackson, Clinton Township, West Bloomfield and Wyandotte.
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