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Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Angela Connelly Director of Communications 913.895.2974 |
Community First Foundation www.communityfirstfoundation.org Palmer Pekarek Director of Communications 720.898.5920 |
Exempla Healthcare Kay Taylor Vice President Communications and Marketing 303-813-5335 |
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Proposed Exempla Healthcare Sponsorship Change Brings New Opportunities
DENVER (Dec. 12, 2006) – Exempla Healthcare’s two sponsoring partners, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (SCLHS) and Community First Foundation (Community First Foundation), have reached an agreement to change the structure of Exempla Healthcare, resulting in all of Exempla becoming an affiliate of SCLHS.
Exempla Healthcare was formed in 1998 and under the terms of the new agreement Community First Foundation will transfer its sponsorship share in Exempla to SCLHS.
“The evolution of this partnership between the three parties brings a number of tangible benefits to our community and the patients we serve,” said Tom Grimshaw, chairman of the Exempla Board of Directors. “Our positive experience with SCLHS supports this relationship and provides them greater presence in the Denver and Colorado health care market.”
Exempla Healthcare includes Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital and Exempla Physicians Network.
The Exempla hospitals and clinics will maintain their individual identities, continue to operate under the Exempla name, and all employees will remain employees of Exempla Healthcare. The restructuring will allow Exempla Healthcare to continue its mission of providing health care to everyone in the communities it serves and to thrive amid increasing challenges in the local and national health care markets.
As a result of the sponsorship transfer, SCLHS will invest a significant amount of money to accelerate Exempla Healthcare’s master facility improvements and new technology planned for Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center and Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, and will provide a sizable donation to Community First Foundation for community services.
Additional financial details were not disclosed. The sponsors expect to finalize the transition in mid-2007.
“At the request of Exempla’s board, we’ve been discussing the best way to strengthen Exempla Healthcare’s leadership role in Denver,” said Kenneth W. Eggeman, Ph.D., president and CEO of Community First Foundation. “This is the best solution because it brings additional resources to improve care for patients.”
As an affiliate of SCLHS, Exempla Healthcare will honor ethical and religious directives when the new sponsorship agreement is complete. While this will not mean change for Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, both Exempla Lutheran Medical Center and Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center will no longer provide certain medical services. “Community First Foundation and Exempla Healthcare, with input from physicians, clinical staff and the community, will work together to identify a solution that ensures these services are provided by a third party on or near the Lutheran and Good Samaritan campuses,” said Vernon Ritzman, M.D., Community First Foundation Board Chair.
“Exempla Healthcare, its three hospitals and its clinics, through Exempla Physicians Network, have earned the trust and confidence of our patients and communities since 1998. That confidence is due to the exceptional staff and physicians who offer care and healing for each of our patients in these settings. This change in sponsorship supports our continued commitment to providing the best care today and everyday,” said Jeff Selberg, President and CEO, Exempla Healthcare.
"The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System and Exempla Healthcare have a close relationship and share similar core values reflected in our dual commitment to improving the health of the individuals and communities we serve, especially those who are poor or vulnerable," said Bill Murray, SCLHS President. “SCLHS believes strong local leadership builds mutually trusting relationships with physicians, employees and the community. The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth have had a local presence and a health care commitment in Colorado for 133 years. We are confident Exempla’s leadership will uphold that legacy for generations to come.”
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About Exempla Healthcare:
Exempla Healthcare, formed in 1998, serves metropolitan Denver through its three hospitals – Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital – and the Exempla Physician Network of primary care, occupational medicine and specialty physicians. Exempla is dedicated to advancing the art of healing and the science of medicine for the patients and communities it serves. www.exempla.org
About SCLHS: The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System owns nine hospitals, including Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, and four clinics for the uninsured in four states (California, Colorado, Kansas and Montana). The Health System is headquartered in Lenexa, Kan. SCLHS is a Catholic, not-for-profit health care system sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. www.sclhealthsystem.org
