By Crystal Hayduk
With Trinity Health uniting its brand statewide, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea will return to its former name, Chelsea Hospital.
Due to its unique co-ownership by Trinity Health and the University of Michigan Health System, Chelsea’s hospital will be the only hospital associated with Trinity Health that will revert to a previous name, rather than take on a new one.
Future signage changes (set to take place during the next eight months) will display both logos to indicate the joint owners, said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan and Southeast Regions, during a press conference on April 13.
“Today, we’re excited to announce that our health system will build upon and embrace the strength of our national brand of Trinity Health,” said Casalou. Within Michigan, 25 brands will move to one brand identity to align with Trinity Health, the national sponsor. As a result, the St. Joseph Mercy Health System brand in Southeast Michigan brand will be retired, along with Mercy Health in West Michigan, he said.
Mercy Health Services in Michigan and Holy Cross Health System in Indiana merged in 2000 to form Trinity Health. However, Chelsea Hospital did not join the system until 2009, according to Casalou.
With the completion of the rebranding, patients and communities will recognize Trinity Health Michigan as one of the largest, most comprehensive health systems in the state—with national connections in 25 states.
In addition to the hospital name change, the medical group with local ties, IHA, will be known as Trinity Health IHA Medical Group.
The Trinity Health logo will appear on signage for hospitals, medical centers, medical groups, and retirement centers owned by the organization.
Dr. Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, Trinity Health’s chief clinical officer, said that while Trinity Health is evolving and growing as a state and national health care system, the core values, mission, and commitment to compassionate care remain unchanged.
She said the benefits to patients and communities include stronger coordination between different types and levels of care; improved access to services wherever Trinity Health has a presence; and the ability to more effectively attract and retain top medical talent, as well as market career opportunities for employee growth and development.
Casalou said Trinity Health had been working on the change prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but waited to get through the last two years to move ahead. He said the change is “to connect the dots for those we serve,” and not related to competition or any decisions by other health care systems.
A multimedia campaign, “We are Trinity Health,” is set to launch this week with 30-second commercials.
More information is available in the attached press release and at www.trinityhealthmichigan.org.
