St. Peter’s Health Partners is the new name of an upstate New York health system to be created when the merger of Northeast Health, St. Peter’s Health Care Services and Seton Health is finalized later this summer.
The new name, which won't be used until the merger transaction is complete, was selected after the organizations conducted a “system identity process” to determine a brand that would offer instant recognition within the community.
The names of the four acute care hospitals – St. Peter’s, Albany Memorial, Samaritan and St. Mary’s – and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital will be retained, and other entities, including The Eddy, a senior services group, will become sub-brands.
“Creating a unified identity for the system is critical to building awareness for those seeking quality care at every stage of life,” said Steven Boyle, president and chief executive officer of St. Peter’s Health Care Services, in a statement about the new name. “The ability to easily recognize organizations that are part of the new St. Peter’s Health Partners system of care and to appreciate the scale and scope of the new system will foster improved access among the public, referring physicians and other providers, and even among our staff.”
The merger was announced a year ago. The Federal Trade Commission recently concluded its review of the deal, paving the way for its conclusion.
The merger will create a new not-for-profit organization – St. Peter’s Partners – that will be the parent corporation, governed by a board with members from all three organizations.
The merger has been billed as “healthcare reform at the regional level” because the combined organizations will be better able to meet the challenges of federal healthcare reform together, officials said in a press release. While St. Peter’s Partners should begin operating this summer, full integration is expected to take three years.
St. Peter’s Partners will be a member of Catholic Health East, currently the parent corporation of St. Peter’s Health Care Services. St. Peter’s Partners will abide by the ethical and religious directives of the Catholic Church but will not be a Catholic entity. Organizations currently affiliated with St. Peter’s Health Care Services and Seton Health will retain their Catholic identities, and those affiliated with Northeast Health will remain secular.
Steven Boyle will become CEO of St. Peter’s Partners; James Reed, MD, currently president and CEO of Northeast Health, will become president of the new parent company.