Beginning Sept. 20, the healthcare systems of Ascension Wisconsin – Ministry Health Care (including Affinity Health System), Columbia St. Mary’s and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – are among the first in the country to formally adopt and transition to using the Ascension name.
Ascension is the largest not-for-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system. The unified name is expected to be fully implemented in Wisconsin, including facility signage changes, over the next 12-18 months.
Nationally, Ascension has 2,500 sites of care, including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
“The transformation of Ascension’s national structure and local identity to the Wisconsin hospitals, clinics, care sites and other subsidiaries will better connect all Ascension aspects of care and innovation,” said Bernie Sherry, senior vice president, Ascension/ Wisconsin ministry market executive.
“As we unite under one shared Mission statement and name, we will continue to draw from the strong heritage we’ve built over many years of service in communities throughout Wisconsin,” Sherry said. “This is part of our further integration across the Ascension system, which enables us to deliver exceptional health outcomes and an exceptional experience for the people we serve at an affordable cost.”
All of Ascension Wisconsin’s clinicians will continue their collaborative efforts to provide compassionate, personalized care for all. Recent success in this area includes programs aimed at sustaining clinical excellence to advance patient safety and quality, providing increased access to primary and specialty services, and innovative programs for those facing chronic or life-threatening conditions.
Ascension Wisconsin facilities bring rich histories that connect to the communities we serve, said Vince Gallucci, chief marketing and communications officer, Ascension Wisconsin. “To strengthen brand recognition and honor the heritage of these extraordinary Wisconsin healthcare legacies, it is important to incorporate the Ascension name,” he said. “By creating more consistent naming for Ascension Wisconsin facilities and services, we’re making it clearer and easier for patients to access the care they need and to navigate their health.”
Ascension Wisconsin is composed of 24 hospitals, 111 medical clinics and other care delivery sites stretching from Racine to Eagle River. Every day approximately 23,500 associates, including nearly 1,000 medical group clinicians touch the lives of thousands of patients who seek care at Ascension Wisconsin facilities.
“We know people have many options for their health and wellness needs, and we want to make sure we are offering access to a connected, integrated group of medical professionals who can best meet people’s health needs on their terms,” Sherry said.
Nationally Ascension has approximately 160,000 associates and 36,000 aligned clinicians serving in 2,500 sites of care. In addition to its Healthcare Division, Ascension’s Solutions Division subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization.