ALTON - A Letter of Intent has been signed by the Hospital Sisters Health System, acting on behalf of its sponsor, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, to assume sole sponsorship of Saint Anthony's Health System, which operates two campuses in Alton, Saint Anthony's Hospital and Saint Clare's Hospital.

"Saint Anthony's is currently one of only a handful of independent Catholic hospitals in Illinois," said Mother M. Regina Pacis, provincial superior for the American Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, the order that currently sponsors Saint Anthony's Health System. "Through many months of prayer and meetings with the Hospital Sisters Health System, our sisters feel it is God's will for our Franciscan missions to come together."

"Integrating Saint Anthony's Health System into the Hospital Sisters Health System will strengthen our ability to provide healthcare services to the people of southwestern Illinois through an integrated network of healing ministries," said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, president and chief executive officer of HSHS. "The services we provide to all, including the poor and the needy, will benefit from this transfer of sponsorship, and both ministries will be in a better position to further their mission and values in the future."  

Currently, HSHS operates three hospitals in southwestern Illinois, St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese, and St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland.

Mark Weber, president/CEO of Saint Anthony's Health System, said that when the transfer of sponsorship is finalized, HSHS intends not only to maintain the current services offered at Saint Anthony's Hospital and Saint Claire's Hospital, but also will continue plans for a major expansion of the Saint Anthony's Hospital campus. The project already has received the approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

The final agreement also will have HSHS assuming responsibility for the ComPAS Network, a physicians group that focuses its services in a number of specialized medical areas. The ComPAS Network was founded by Saint Anthony's.

Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George will continue to live and foster their healing and teaching ministry from the order's motherhouse, which is located on the Saint Anthony's Hospital campus. These sisters also will continue their involvement in Saint Anthony's, serving on the local board of directors and in direct care or administrative roles.

"Our mission and our commitment to the Alton area will continue - and will thrive," said Mother M. Regina. "We will have easier access to resources for capital projects, which will enable us to continue to provide quality health care for area residents."