St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, owned by Tower Health and Drexel University, has signed a non-binding letter of intent to form an alliance with three other health systems to support strong pediatric care across the city.
Six things to know:
1. The potential alliance with Jacksonville, Fla.-based Nemours Children’s Health, as well as Jefferson Health and Temple Health, both based in Philadelphia, will not be a merger, acquisition or ownership change, a St. Christopher’s spokesperson said in a July 15 statement shared with Becker’s.
“Each organization recognizes the irreplaceable role St. Christopher’s has played for more than 150 years in caring for children and families and supporting the health and well-being of the community,” the spokesperson said.
The hospital, which filed for bankruptcy in June 2019, was bought out by a Tower Health and Drexel University partnership for $50 million months later.
2. Like pediatric hospitals across the country, St. Christopher’s is facing significant financial challenges and serves one of the largest Medicaid populations in the country, Chair, Partners Board, P. Sue Perrotty said in a statement shared with Becker’s.
“We believe the right time to act is now, by taking proactive steps to build a stronger, more sustainable future from a position of strength,” Ms. Perrotty said. “Our goal is to preserve what makes St. Christopher’s so special while strengthening our operations so our community-focused mission will endure.”
3. The goal of the alliance is to expand access to specialized pediatric services, boost physician recruitment, improve research and education and support key clinical programs.
4. As the work progresses, the organizations will explore ways to collaborate in support of a shared commitment to pediatric care, including high-quality clinical care and improving education, prevention, nutrition and community outreach, the spokesperson said.
5. A Nemours Children’s Health spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker’s that the alliance reflects the system’s missions to create the healthiest generations of children by expanding access and improving care coordination.
“This collaboration also strengthens Delaware’s role in pediatric care by positioning Nemours Children’s Delaware-based clinical operations as a central hub for advanced specialty care, education, and innovation while supporting the long-term strength and mission of St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital and the communities it serves,” the spokesperson said.
6. A Temple Health spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker’s that the proposed alliance reflects “a shared commitment to securing a future for St. Christopher’s while preserving the mission, clinical excellence and community role that have made the hospital a resource for children and families in Philadelphia and across the region.”
Becker’s has reached out to Jefferson Health and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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