The final deal between the University of Maryland Medical System and
St. Joseph's Medical Center is expected to be complete in a little more
than a week.The Archdiocese of Baltimore says it has reached an agreement with the University of Maryland Medical System that will allow St. Joseph's to remain a Catholic hospital.
The new name will be the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.
The Towson medical center started looking for a buyer after lawsuits were filed by patients who accused a cardiologist of putting heart stents into them when they weren't necessary.
Archbishop Lori says the agreement will ensure that St. Joseph's will continue this long tradition of providing faith filled care throughout its new chapter.
Archbishop
William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, announced today that the
Archdiocese of Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical System
(UMMS) have reached agreement on terms that will allow St. Joseph
Medical Center in Towson to continue operating as a Catholic hospital.
St.
Joseph, which has operated as a Catholic hospital since 1864, is being
purchased by UMMS and will operate under the name University of Maryland
St. Joseph Medical Center (UM-SJMC) beginning next month.
“St.
Joseph Medical Center has provided quality, Catholic healthcare to
people of all faiths for over 145 years,” Archbishop Lori said. “The hospital’s Catholic identity is pervasive in virtually every aspect of its operation. This
agreement will ensure that St. Joseph’s will continue this long
tradition of providing faith-filled care throughout this new chapter in
the hospital’s storied history.”
The agreement provides a framework within which the hospital can continue authentic Catholic traditions and practices. Church law requires the local bishop to give his imprimatur or nihil obstat in such transactions. Because the hospital is being sold to a non-Catholic entity, Vatican approval is required.
Mr.
Francis X. Kelly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of UM-SJMC, said,
"This is something the board wants to do. We are thrilled that the
archbishop and the archdiocese agreed to allow us to continue the strong
Catholic traditions at St. Joseph Medical Center. We are looking
forward to working closely with Archbishop Lori, for whom I have a great
deal of respect."
There are five Catholic hospitals located in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In 2011, these hospitals served over $1.8 million patients. Nationwide,
the Catholic Church operates 12.6 percent of hospitals in the U.S. with
one out of every six patients in the United States being treated at a
Catholic hospital.