Methodist Hospitals and Franciscan Alliance Agree to Suspend Merger Talks

rot1In 2016, spurred by significant shifts within the healthcare industry, Methodist Hospitals Board and Leadership embarked on a process to consider partnering with another health care system. Over the past 10 months, exclusive discussions have been conducted with Franciscan Alliance. During this time, leadership from both systems and our communities worked diligently to assess what a partnership might mean for employees, physicians, patients and the communities of Northwest Indiana.

Unfortunately, after months of thorough and thoughtful negotiations, we were unable to align on critical issues around the financial, operational and clinical service line implications of the proposed partnership. These discussions were compounded by headwinds in the healthcare industry. We are disappointed that this partnership did not come to fruition.

Methodist Hospitals is resolute in its commitment to continue to look for the right opportunities to chart a path forward that will ensure sustainability, continued growth and success. In the meantime, we are financially sound and are confident in our ability to continue navigating the current marketplace. In just the past few months, Methodist earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation, was verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, and received Magnet recognition from The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

These milestone achievements reflect Methodist Hospitals’ commitment to excellence and quality, and reaffirm our role as a leading health system in the region. We will continue building on our history of excellence, guided by a commitment to do what is in the best interest of our patients, employees, physicians and community.

About Methodist Hospital
Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better health for residents of Northwest Indiana for almost 100 years. Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award – winning programs, including its Neuroscience, Oncology, Heart and Vascular Institutes and Breast Care Center. Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery services, Emergency & Trauma services, Immediate Care Centers, Orthopedics & Spine services, comprehensive Rehabilitation services, Behavioral Health and Home Health Services. It has earned Magnet® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.