[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/art...58c4dbdd57.html

Home / Business / Northwest Indiana Business Headlines
Sisters of St. Francis Health Services changes name to Franciscan Alliance

* Story
* Discussion

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services changes name to Franciscan Alliance

By Times Staff nwi.com | Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 7:07 am | 1 Comment

Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size

*
*

Hospitals and health care centers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan currently in the St. Francis Health Services, Inc. network will now be known as Franciscan Alliance, the group announced Monday.

According to a news release issued on the changes, the decision came, "after many months of intensive research with consumers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan and after thorough deliberations at all levels of the organization." The name change came at the recommendation of the board of trustees.

"Franciscan Alliance is the perfect pairing of two words to create a meaningful, memorable name that affirms our promise to continue Christ's ministry in our Franciscan tradition," said Sr. M. Jane Marie Klein, chairwoman of the board of trustees. "...With this new name, we expect to broaden awareness of the system's comprehensive, high-quality heath care services and highly regarded compassionate care."

The process began "a few years ago," according to the news release, when the Tau (a sacred symbol to St. Francis of Assisi and a reminder of the cross of Christ) was added to each of the system's hospital logos. Accompanying the Tau were the words, "Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc.

While the name change is effective immediately, the words "Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc." will be replaced by "Franciscan" at all hospitals and health care centers starting in early 2011, according to Kevin Leahy, president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance.

Included in the system's network are St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, St. Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City, St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville, Ind.; St. Elizabeth East and St. Elizabeth Central in Lafayette; St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers in Beech Grove, Ind., Indianapolis and Mooresville, Ind.; St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields, Ill.; St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Hammond and Dyer and Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC in Munster.

"We are proud of all the fine, high-quality services that our hospitals offer patients and their families both independently and as a 13-hospital system," Leahy said. "Now, we must let more people know of our great work and leverage our reach geographically."