MONROE - Representatives of Monroe Clinic and SSM Health celebrated their joining at the facility Thursday, declaring the transfer of ownership from the Sisters of St. Agnes to SSM Health as a positive step to provide faith-based care.
Monroe Clinic CEO Mike Sanders opened the ceremony by informing the crowd of more than 120 staff members and community residents that the area owes a huge debt of gratitude to the sisters who founded Monroe Clinic. Audience members varied from RNs to volunteers to Green County Clerk Mike Doyle and Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits.
"You have changed this region in a very profound way," Sanders said, speaking directly to roughly a half-dozen sisters who were in attendance. "And touched the lives of virtually every family in this area, especially those who have been part of the staff at Monroe Clinic."
The theme of thankfulness and teamwork intertwined with every speaker, from SSM Health President and CEO Laura Kaiser to Sister Jean Steffes, general superior of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
While happy thoughts and positive wishes were spread during the event, the brand transition will continue throughout 2018. A press release from SSM Health indicates it is expected to be completed by the end of the year. While Agnesian HealthCare, Monroe Clinic and affiliates will adopt the brand, according to the release, the groups will do so "honoring their legacy names."
The agreement adds four hospitals to SSM Health's Wisconsin network, as well as eight post-acute facilities and dozens of care sites, according to the release. Integration means the SSM network now has a total of seven hospitals, 10 post-acute facilities and more than 85 physician offices and other care sites.
Employees have been told they will not see personnel changes during the first year. Much of the talks on Thursday consisted of honoring Catholic health care and the memory of Jesus through healing.
"The sisters trust that Monroe Clinic and Agnesian HealthCare will continue their legacy of healing through the larger SSM Health family," Steffes said. "We sought a sponsor whose mission and culture fits the Agnesian and Monroe culture and mission, and we do believe SSM does. That will serve our patients, residents and loved ones well. It has been mixed feelings, but good feelings."
Steffes said the undertaking of nearly 80 years by the sisters was not their original plan since their work was education-based, but she celebrated the success of Agnesian HealthCare.
"We consider ourselves blessed to remain in solidarity with something so important and so impactful in people's lives," Steffes said.
The acquisition adds 14,000 employees in Wisconsin and northern Illinois to SSM's total of more than 40,000 within the Midwest. SSM Health also operates through Dean Health Plan, boasting a diversified HMO serving more than 425,000 people throughout the Midwest.
Damond Boatwright, regional president of operations for SSM Health, garnered the loudest applause after echoing a sentiment shared with him by Sanders during an initial meeting in the planning process at Monroe Clinic.
"I've learned from Mike that bigger isn't necessarily better, right?" Boatwright said to the crowd. "Better is better."
Boatwright clapped along with the audience and said SSM Health remains mindful of that sentiment as they move toward fully managing Monroe Clinic and Agnesian HealthCare affiliates.
Monroe Clinic CEO Mike Sanders opened the ceremony by informing the crowd of more than 120 staff members and community residents that the area owes a huge debt of gratitude to the sisters who founded Monroe Clinic. Audience members varied from RNs to volunteers to Green County Clerk Mike Doyle and Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits.
"You have changed this region in a very profound way," Sanders said, speaking directly to roughly a half-dozen sisters who were in attendance. "And touched the lives of virtually every family in this area, especially those who have been part of the staff at Monroe Clinic."
The theme of thankfulness and teamwork intertwined with every speaker, from SSM Health President and CEO Laura Kaiser to Sister Jean Steffes, general superior of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
While happy thoughts and positive wishes were spread during the event, the brand transition will continue throughout 2018. A press release from SSM Health indicates it is expected to be completed by the end of the year. While Agnesian HealthCare, Monroe Clinic and affiliates will adopt the brand, according to the release, the groups will do so "honoring their legacy names."
The agreement adds four hospitals to SSM Health's Wisconsin network, as well as eight post-acute facilities and dozens of care sites, according to the release. Integration means the SSM network now has a total of seven hospitals, 10 post-acute facilities and more than 85 physician offices and other care sites.
Employees have been told they will not see personnel changes during the first year. Much of the talks on Thursday consisted of honoring Catholic health care and the memory of Jesus through healing.
"The sisters trust that Monroe Clinic and Agnesian HealthCare will continue their legacy of healing through the larger SSM Health family," Steffes said. "We sought a sponsor whose mission and culture fits the Agnesian and Monroe culture and mission, and we do believe SSM does. That will serve our patients, residents and loved ones well. It has been mixed feelings, but good feelings."
Steffes said the undertaking of nearly 80 years by the sisters was not their original plan since their work was education-based, but she celebrated the success of Agnesian HealthCare.
"We consider ourselves blessed to remain in solidarity with something so important and so impactful in people's lives," Steffes said.
The acquisition adds 14,000 employees in Wisconsin and northern Illinois to SSM's total of more than 40,000 within the Midwest. SSM Health also operates through Dean Health Plan, boasting a diversified HMO serving more than 425,000 people throughout the Midwest.
Damond Boatwright, regional president of operations for SSM Health, garnered the loudest applause after echoing a sentiment shared with him by Sanders during an initial meeting in the planning process at Monroe Clinic.
"I've learned from Mike that bigger isn't necessarily better, right?" Boatwright said to the crowd. "Better is better."
Boatwright clapped along with the audience and said SSM Health remains mindful of that sentiment as they move toward fully managing Monroe Clinic and Agnesian HealthCare affiliates.