Newswise — ST. LOUIS (June 1, 2015) -- SSM Health and Saint Louis University (SLU), two of the St. Louis region’s largest and most respected faith-based organizations, are partnering in their shared mission to improve the health of the St. Louis community and beyond. The two have signed a long-term agreement under which Saint Louis University Hospital will become part of SSM Health St. Louis and their medical groups will work together to further enhance care.
Saint Louis University is purchasing SLU Hospital from Tenet Healthcare, which has owned the hospital since 1998, and will contribute it to SSM Health St. Louis in exchange for a minority membership interest –- which includes a financial interest and governance rights –- in SSM Health St. Louis. SSM Health St. Louis will own and operate the hospital and SLU Hospital employees will become SSM Health St. Louis employees. Doctors, health care practitioners and staff from Saint Louis University’s physician practice, SLUCare Physician Group, will continue to be employed by the University and will continue practicing at their current care sites.
“For decades, SLUCare Physician Group and SSM Health have successfully partnered together to provide pediatric and maternal/fetal medicine services to patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and SSM St. Mary’s Health Center,” said Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., president of Saint Louis University. “Partnering with SSM Health, its medical group and extensive network of high-quality community-based services will strengthen our SLUCare practice and give the University’s physicians a greater opportunity to provide excellent advanced medical care to more people in the community.”
While SSM Medical Group and SLUCare Physician Group will remain legally separate, the two will work together to share best practices and clinical expertise that further enhance care for all patients.
“Ultimately, this integrated partnership will provide the entire community with more coordinated access to the compassionate expert care for which SSM Health, SSM Medical Group and SLUCare Physician Group are all known,” said William P. Thompson, president and CEO of SSM Health. “Patients will be able to conveniently access all levels of care within SSM Health, from the high-quality, community-based care provided by SSM Health physicians, hospitals, and outpatient sites to more medically complex care, including a Level 1 trauma center and nationally recognized liver, kidney and bone marrow transplant programs provided by SLUCare specialists at SLU Hospital.”
The transaction between SSM Health and Saint Louis University is expected to be finalized by late summer subject to regulatory approvals. The financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.
About Saint Louis University and SLUCareSaint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.
SLUCare Physician Group is the academic medical practice of Saint Louis University, with more than 500 health care providers and 1,200 staff members in hospitals and medical offices throughout the St. Louis region. SLUCare physicians are among the most highly trained in their fields — more than 50 specialties in all — and are national and international experts, renowned for research and innovations in medicine.
About SSM Health SSM Health (www.ssmhc.com) is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the nation.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM includes 19 hospitals, more than 60 outpatient care sites, a pharmacy benefit company, an insurance company, two nursing homes, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a technology company, and two Accountable Care Organizations. SSM’s mission statement, “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God”- is embodied by more than 1,300 employed physicians and nearly 30,000 employees. SSM is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. An early adopter of the electronic health record (EHR), SSM is a national leader for the depth of its EHR integration.
A winner of the Missouri Quality Award and multiple Best Places to Work awards, SSM Health St. Louis includes seven hospitals: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, SSM DePaul Health Center, SSM St. Clare Health Center, SSM St. Joseph Health Center, SSM St. Joseph Health Center – Wentzville, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and SSM St. Mary’s Health Center. In addition, it includes St. Joseph Medical Park, a Managed Care Organization, four urgent care sites and SSM Medical Group.
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