A large Catholic health system is dropping saint names from its hospitals to create a more unified identity, the Associated Press is reporting.
Franciscan Alliance treats more than 1.3 million patients in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. It's changing its name to Franciscan Health. The Indiana-based organization announced Tuesday it will also rename 12 of its 14 hospitals.
The decision means two Illinois hospitals will no longer include the name "St. James." Franciscan St. James Health in Chicago Heights, Ill., will become Franciscan Health Chicago Heights. Franciscan St. James Health in Olympia Fields will become Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.
Franciscan Alliance board chair Sister Jane Marie Klein said the changes underscore the system's combined strength and still reflect the heritage of the founding Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
“Unified names for each hospital will create broader awareness of our standing as a large, multistate Catholic healthcare system with nationally recognized centers of excellence, numerous joint ventures, partnerships and physician relationships,” said Kevin Leahy, president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance. “The evolution of our hospital names further reflects our commitment assuring that the services we offer and our access points match ever more closely the needs of the people and communities we serve.”
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