Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Announce Letter of Intent to Transfer Sponsorship of Saint Anthony’s Health System to the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Springfield, Illinois
A letter of Intent was signed today by the Hospital Sisters Health System, acting on behalf of its sponsor, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Springfield, Illinois, to assume sole sponsorship of Saint Anthony’s Health System in Alton, Illinois.
When finalized in a formal agreement later this year, the new affiliation for Saint Anthony's Health System and the Hospital Sisters Health System will create a stronger Catholic health care ministry in Southwestern Illinois, according to Mother M. Regina Pacis, FSGM, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
Hospital Sisters Health System is sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, based in Springfield, Illinois. Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, the Hospital Sisters will assume sole sponsorship of Saint Anthony's Health System, which operates two campuses in Alton – Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Saint Clare’s Hospital, currently sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.
“Saint Anthony’s is currently one of only a handful of independent Catholic hospitals in Illinois,” Mother M. Regina Pacis said. “Through many months of prayer and meetings with the Hospital Sisters Health System, our Sisters feel this is God’s will for our Franciscan missions to come together.
“Our Sisters and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis share a Franciscan heritage – and a love for the communities we serve,” she added.
Currently, HSHS sponsors three hospitals in Southwestern Illinois – St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
“Assuming the sponsorship of Saint Anthony's Health System will strengthen our abilities to provide healthcare services to the residents of Illinois through an integrated network of healing ministries,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSHS. “The services that both systems provide to their patients will be enhanced by this transfer of sponsorship, and both ministries will be in a better position to further their mission and values in the future.”
Mark Weber, President/CEO of Saint Anthony's Health System, said that when the transfer of sponsorship is finalized in the fall, HSHS plans to not only maintain the current services offered at Saint Anthony’s Health System, but also will continue with plans for a major expansion on the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus.
The final agreement will also have HSHS assume responsibility for the ComPAS Network, a multi-specialty group of physicians primarily located in the Saint Anthony’s Professional Building. The ComPAS Network was founded by Saint Anthony’s Health System.
“Our Mission and our commitment to the Alton area will continue – and will thrive,” noted Mother M. Regina Pacis. “We will have easier access to resources for capital projects, which will enable us to continue to provide quality health care for area residents.”
The Sisters of St. Francis of the martyr St. George will continue to live and foster their healing and teaching ministry from the Order’s Motherhouse, which is adjacent to the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus. The Sisters of St. Francis will also continue their involvement in Saint Anthony’s as members of the local Board of Directors and in direct care or administrative roles.
E. J. Kuiper, the current Chief Operating Officer for Saint Anthony’s Health Center, will be appointed as the Interim President/CEO at Saint Anthony’s Health Center. Weber will continue as President/CEO of Saint Anthony's Health System and will work closely with HSHS on finalizing the transfer of sponsorship.
Both the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis are Franciscan religious congregations with roots in Germany. Five Sisters of St. Francis traveled to Alton in 1925 to open Saint Anthony’s Infirmary. The Hospital Sisters were called in 1875 to serve in Alton, which was the seat of the Catholic diocese now based in Springfield.
Of the 13 current HSHS hospitals, 11 were founded by the Hospital Sisters. The other two hospitals were founded by different religious Orders and HSHS assumed sponsorship at the invitation of those Orders. Hospital Sisters assumed sponsorship of St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin from the Miseracordia Sisters in 1974. HSHS assumed the sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese from the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross in 1987.