Sinai Health, Holy Cross explore affiliation

Two Chicago faith-based institutions—Jewish Sinai Health System and Catholic Holy Cross Hospital—are discussing a possible affiliation that would have the 282-bed Holy Cross joining the Sinai system.

The two organizations are in the due diligence phase, which is expected to last until July, and a letter of intent signing is expected soon after, according to an e-mailed news release.

“Holy Cross Hospital would retain its Catholic identity,” Wayne Lerner, Holy Cross Hospital president, said in the release. “That would mean everyone would continue to observe the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare on the Holy Cross Hospital campus, but it would not affect the components of Sinai Health System. We would be able to continue the healing mission of the Sisters of St. Casimir, who have faithfully served this community since 1928.”

Last year, Holy Cross was in discussions with 18-hospital Vanguard Health Systems of Nashville. Economic reasons were cited for that deal falling through.

“Sinai Health System and Holy Cross Hospital appear to complement each other well in terms of medical staffs, the range of services offered by each organization and populations served,” Alan Channing, Sinai president and CEO, said in the release. “Each could benefit from economies of scale, allowing us to strengthen our mission to improve the health of the individuals and communities that we serve.”

Along with the Sinai Medical Group, which has more than 200 physicians, the Sinai system consists of 290-bed Mount Sinai Hospital, which includes Sinai Children's Hospital, and the 81-bed Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital.