By Lisa Carolin
A maple tree was planted in the courtyard at Saint Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital on Aug. 15 to celebrate the joint venture of St. Joseph Mercy Health System and Michigan Medicine.
More than 60 administrators and staff gathered for the ceremonial tree planting, including Nancy Graebner, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.
“We’re here to celebrate our new commitment and what it means to be a truly transformational health care provider,” she said.
The letter of intent to merge the two health care systems was written on March 15, 2017 and the agreement was signed on Feb.15, 2018 with the goal to bring more care options closer to where patients live.
Rob Casalou, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Health System and Mercy Health, told the crowd, “We have a common goal to improve the health and well-being of people in the service community.”
Dr. David Spahlinger, president of University of Michigan Health System, said, “I think this partnership will improve the already terrific care we have in our institutions.”
The joint venture expands surgical procedures that Michigan Medicine provides in Chelsea and increases access to Michigan Medicine physicians for patients in Chelsea and western Washtenaw County. SJMHS provides the leadership, nurses, and staff, and oversees hospital operations as the majority and managing partner.
The tree represents life and growth and hope to persevere.
