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Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and
Mercy Health System To Explore Enhancing Healthcare Services
In South Philadelphia
To better serve South Philadelphia's changing healthcare
needs, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Mercy Health
System signed a letter of intent today enabling them to work
together to explore ways in which they might expand and enhance
healthcare delivery through Methodist Hospital, a division
of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and St. Agnes Medical
Center, a Mercy Health System care unit. However, at this
time no binding agreement has been reached.
"We are very excited about creating a new vision that
will meet the current and future healthcare needs of South
Philadelphia," said Tom Lewis, Thomas Jefferson University
Hospitals CEO, and Gavin Kerr, Mercy Health System CEO.
"Through a comprehensive assessment of the South Philadelphia
healthcare services, we have identified important unmet needs,
particularly in programs for the elderly and others who need
long-term care, and noted other areas in which duplicate or
overlapping services exist that exceed the community's needs,"
said Kerr.
"The vision we have agreed to explore for the future
of healthcare delivery in South Philadelphia would see Methodist
Hospital as the provider of short-term acute care services
and St. Agnes as the provider of continuing care services.
By focusing our efforts in each of the two locations we will
be able to better serve community needs, avoid duplication
of services, create greater efficiencies and invest in enhanced
facilities and new technologies," said Lewis.
To address unmet South Philadelphia continuing care healthcare
needs, Mercy Health System would transform St. Agnes into
the Continuing Care Medical Center at St. Agnes, which would
include a new Long Term Acute Care Hospital, operated by a
joint venture between Mercy Health System and Thomas Jefferson
University Hospitals that would provide specialized services
for long-term intensive care and chronically ill patients.
"We believe there is nothing quite like this Continuing
Care Medical Center concept in healthcare today, and we are
very excited about the opportunity to improve and expand continuing
care services to meet the needs of a diverse and aging population
in South Philadelphia," said Kerr. The new Continuing
Care Medical Center at St. Agnes would expand existing services,
such as skilled nursing and LIFE (Living Independently for
the Elderly) services, continue established home health care
and hospice programs, and invest in new services like long-term
intensive care.
In the new vision, both Methodist Hospital and St. Agnes
Medical Center would continue to serve the South Philadelphia
community with the same quality and compassion as they have
for more than 100 years. Both hospitals will continue normal
operations as the discussions proceed.
Both Lewis and Kerr noted that while the changes under consideration
will serve the community's ultimate good, this period of uncertainty
as discussions are underway will be difficult for the physicians,
nurses and employees. A top priority will be to preserve employment
opportunities at Methodist Hospital and St. Agnes Medical
Center.
Lewis and Kerr anticipate that it may take from 30 to 90
days for the discussions to progress to a point where they
are in a position to make final decisions and announce an
agreement. "We ask for the community's patience and support
as we work to ensure the future healthcare needs of South
Philadelphia will be met by two stronger and more vital hospitals,
Methodist Hospital and the Continuing Care Medical Center
at St. Agnes," they said.
Published: 1-28-2004
Media Only Contact:
Nan Myers
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: 215/955-6300
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