June 21, 2012

Saint John's Health System Makes Major Announcements

At the Madison County Chamber's Wake Up Breakfast, Saint John's Health System President Tom VanOsdol announced that effective Jan. 1, 2013, Saint John's Health System will change its name to St.Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital to reflect its expanded regional role within St.Vincent Health.

Over the past few years, Saint John's has grown to serve patients far beyond Madison County. In particular, patients from surrounding counties and from other locations throughout the state are seeking care from Saint John's for cancer treatment, rehabilitation services (specifically its regional balance center and acute inpatient rehabilitation services), mental health treatment, Center for Midlife Women, and others. Over the past year, Saint John's has added interventional cardiology, inpatient renal dialysis and two new unique lung treatments. Saint John's home health service reaches patients in seven counties. Saint John's Medical Supplies, a durable medical equipment company, provides services in Madison County, Indianapolis, Fishers and Kokomo, with further plans for expansion.

In 2011, Saint John's officially aligned as a regional system with St.Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood and St.Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester. Saint John's is a regional referral hospital for these two facilities. 

"This new name more clearly shows our affiliation with St.Vincent Health and others in our network with whom we serve, such as our physicians within St.Vincent Medical Group.  It also better reflects our expanded care of patients in East Central Indiana," VanOsdol said. "We expect our regional growth to continue at a rapid pace."

Saint John's will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a ministry of St.Vincent Health on January 1, 2013. St.Vincent Health is one of the Top 15 health systems in the United States, as named by Thomson Reuters this year, and is the only large health system in the Midwest to achieve this honor. Saint John's is the second largest ministry in the St.Vincent Health system. 

"Saint John's Operating Board and I requested this name change," said Don Henderson, chairman of Saint John's Operating Board.  "After many months of discussion and discernment, we asked St.Vincent to change our name to one that better reflects our regional responsibilities and our affiliation.  Our heritage and mission will never change.  This name change, however, will allow us to expand our mission to others, and that's why it is so important."

Vince Caponi, chief executive officer, St.Vincent Health, and ministry market leader – Indiana and Wisconsin,  Ascension Health, said when Saint John's Operating Board requested the name change, he gave it careful consideration.  "We are respectful of Saint John's heritage and the importance of keeping care local.  We wanted to make sure we made the right decision for the local community and Saint John's.  We know that in order to provide safe, quality care that is low cost with an exceptional experience, our ministries must have a strong regional presence, integrated physician relationships and capabilities across the healthcare continuum.  The new name and regional alignment will position Saint John's, St.Vincent Mercy Hospital and St.Vincent Randolph Hospital to have this strong regional presence." 

Sister Kathleen Reilly, c.s.c., Sister of the Holy Cross and vice president of Mission Services, said the Sisters support the name change.  "The Sisters of the Holy Cross have always embraced change and have taken whatever steps are necessary to move our mission forward. I am confident that John and Maria Hickey and Sister Victoria would be so proud of what we have accomplished with the hospital they founded to serve the sick and injured.  Their primary objective was to serve others, to meet the needs of anyone who came here for care.  They would realize that this name change and regional expansion are important steps as we continue to extend the healing ministry of Christ to more people."

VanOsdol commented that Saint John's affiliation with St.Vincent Health this past 10 years has brought value to Saint John's, the local community and to the St.Vincent Health system. "Our affiliation has allowed Saint John's to bring several important services to Madison County, such as interventional cardiovascular services and inpatient dialysis.  St.Vincent Health has helped us expand our contributions to the local community.  For example, they made possible our gifts to Anderson University's Center for Clinical Excellence, gifts to the City of Anderson, YMCA and the Paramount Theater."

"Saint John's and St.Vincent Health are part of Ascension Health, the largest health care system in the United States," VanOsdol added.  "Collectively, we are able to better prepare for health care reform—by decreasing expenses, sharing best practices and working to influence positive changes in our health care system. We are committed to providing health care that is safe, high quality and accessible to everyone."

VanOsdol also announced that St.Vincent Health is supporting an additional expansion in Anderson – the construction of a $27-million surgery department.

Surgical Department

The new surgery department will bring together Saint John's inpatient and outpatient surgical services in one location on the main campus. VanOsdol said the state-of-the-art facility will allow Saint John's to move forward with the latest technology for surgical procedures and recruit additional skilled talent to further expand regional care.

The new surgical department will be adjacent to Saint John's new Emergency Department, opened in 2007. Surgical Services Director Duane Cox said, "The surgery construction project will provide additional needed space and allow greater operational efficiency of surgical services offered in the Medical Center and at the Surgery Center."  He explained that the project will include at least nine spacious operating rooms for inpatient and outpatient surgeries.  "We will have easier accessibility to patients, increased privacy for patients and staff, and greater flexibility," he added. 

The surgical facilities are just the latest initiative reflective of Saint John's regional expansion and the reason for its new name.  Saint John's president emphasized, however, that even though services have expanded and the name will be changing, the mission and principles on which the ministry was founded will not change.  "Saint John's Health System has an important legacy in Anderson and Madison County. Name changes are not new to us," VanOsdol added.  "We have changed our name six times in our history.  Nothing changes about who we are. Our culture, the high quality care and service we provide and our mission remain the same. In fact, we are bringing together a team to decide how we permanently honor Saint John's name and heritage on our campus.  This name change is a next important step in our commitment to expand our healing ministry and it will open doors and position our ministry to reach more and serve more."

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About Saint John's Health System
Saint John's Health System is a comprehensive health network of services that is uniquely sophisticated for a community the size of Anderson. Saint John's is recognized for excellence in patient care for cancer, orthopedics, rehabilitation, women's services and cardiovascular services. Saint John's breast care program is nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Its Chest Pain Center is internationally accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Saint John's has received many awards over the years, including HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience award 2009/2010 and 2010/2011; America's Best Hospitals for Patient Experience and Women's Choice Award by WomenCertified 2011/2012; Indianapolis Star Top Workplaces 2010 and 2011; Leadership Award to Tom VanOsdol, President, in 2010; Anderson Herald Bulletin's Best of Madison County for Overall Customer Service 2010 and 2011; Chamber Image Award 2009 and HomeCare Elite Award for Home Care Services, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

For more information contact:
Randy Titus
Saint John's Health System
Marketing & Community Affairs
(765) 646-8290 (office)
rltitus@sjhsnet.org