St. Louis-based Ascension, the nation's largest Catholic health system, signed a definitive agreement Feb. 15 to integrate one of Illinois' largest Catholic health systems, Chicago-based Presence Health.
Under the agreement, Presence Health will become a part of Amita Health, a joint venture created in February 2015 by Ascension's Alexian Brothers Health System in Arlington Heights, Ill., and Hinsdale, Ill.-based Adventist Midwest Health, which is part of Adventist Health System in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
All Presence Health facilities will become a part of Ascension except Mokena, Ill.-based Presence Life Connections, the health system's senior care facility, which will become a part of Ascension's senior care subsidiary.
The goal for the partnership, which was announced last August, is to enhance patient care and reduce costs for patients served by the combined organizations.
Officials expect to finalize the transaction soon.
"Both our systems are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care for all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable," said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, president and CEO of Ascension. "We believe that by coming together, we will strengthen Catholic healthcare as we provide affordable, accessible and quality care to the community."