Saint Anthony's Health System in Alton, Ill., has received canonical approval from the Vatican to affiliate with Peoria, Ill.-based OSF Healthcare System, according to a report from The Telegraph.
Saint Anthony's expects to finalize the affiliation Oct. 31, according to the report. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has already approved the proposed transaction by granting a certificate of exemption.
Saint Anthony's signed a letter of intent in March to become an OSF affiliate. Mother M. Regina Pacis, chairman of the Saint Anthony's board, has said the partnership will ensure access to quality care, as well as allow Saint Anthony's to recruit new physicians and offer more specialty services.