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AMITA Health
AMITA Health
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AMITA Health was an interfaith health system formed as a joint venture between Alexian Brothers Health System and Presence Health (both part of Ascension) and Adventist Midwest Health (part of AdventHealth).[1] As of 2021, AMITA operated 19 hospitals and numerous medical offices, among other facilities. In 2022, the joint venture was dissolved.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

In February 2015, AMITA Health was created as a joint venture between Alex Brothers Health System (part of Ascension) and Adventist Midwest Health (part of AdventHealth).[1] In 2018, Ascension acquired Presence Health and merged it into AMITA Health.[7] Company representatives stated that the name AMITA was chosen for its significant in several languages: in Hebrew, it means honesty and truth; in Hindi, it means spiritual light and boundlessness; and it Italian, it means friendship.[1] In September 2019, several executives left Amita Health, including original CEO Mark Frey.[8] In December 2019, the company appointed Keith A. Parrot president and CEO.[4]

On October 21, 2021, AMITA Health announced that the joint venture would be dissolved, with each member hospital remaining in one of those two original groups.[9][10] The split became effective on April 1, 2022. The Adventist locations rebranded to the AdventHealth name, while Ascension Illinois unified the former Presence Health and Alexian Brothers facilities under the Ascension name.[2]

Religious heritage

[edit]

The founders of the AMITA Health facilities were:[3]

All of the founders and of the acquired medical groups and centers, except for those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, were affiliated with the Catholic Church.[10]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
AMITA Health was a joint operating company formed in February 2015 as a partnership between Adventist Midwest Health, a Seventh-day Adventist organization based in , and Alexian Brothers Health System, a Catholic health system based in , to deliver integrated healthcare services across the west and northwest suburbs of . Initially comprising nine hospitals, more than 80 outpatient sites and clinics, and a network of more than 3,000 physicians, the system emphasized an interfaith approach rooted in shared Christian values. In 2018, Presence Health, a financially challenged Catholic system with 10 additional hospitals and extensive outpatient facilities, was acquired by Ascension (Alexian Brothers' parent) and integrated into AMITA Health, expanding the network to 19 hospitals and enhancing its reach in the area and beyond. The organization's mission, "to extend the healing ," guided its operations, focusing on compassionate, high-quality care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while prioritizing initiatives such as behavioral health services and chronic disease management. At its peak, AMITA Health served millions of patients annually through , , specialty services, and preventive programs, positioning it as one of Illinois's largest health systems. The partnership between (successor to Adventist Midwest Health) and Ascension faced challenges over time, leading to its dissolution in April 2022, after which the organizations divided the assets— rebranding four hospitals under its name and Ascension resuming control of the remainder, ending the AMITA Health brand. This split marked the conclusion of a significant interfaith collaboration in U.S. healthcare, though its legacy endures in the continued operations of the transitioned facilities.

Overview

Formation and naming

AMITA Health was established in 2015 as a joint operating company through a between Alexian Brothers , a Catholic ministry of Ascension, and Adventist Midwest Health, a subsidiary of the Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated . The definitive agreement for this interfaith collaboration was reached in October 2014, with the joint venture legally formed on February 4, 2015, following board approvals. This structure allowed the organizations to integrate operations while preserving their distinct religious identities and asset ownership, aiming to enhance coordinated care in the evolving healthcare landscape. The name "AMITA" was selected in April 2015 to reflect the partnership's emphasis on unity and shared values, drawing from multiple linguistic origins: "" and "truth" in Hebrew, "spiritual " and "boundlessness" in , and "friendship" in Italian. This multifaceted symbolized the honest , boundless potential, and friendly between the Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist sponsors. The branding choice underscored the system's commitment to inclusive, faith-inspired care serving diverse communities in the suburbs. At its inception, AMITA Health integrated nine hospitals—five from Alexian Brothers Health System and four from Adventist Midwest Health—along with a network of over 3,000 affiliated physicians, to form a unified nonprofit serving more than 3.8 million residents in the west and northwest suburbs. The initial goals focused on operational efficiencies, improved patient access, and coordinated services without altering the underlying ownership of facilities. Headquartered in , at the site of the Alexian Brothers base, the organization launched with a shared model featuring Mark Frey, CEO of Alexian Brothers, serving as AMITA's CEO, and David Crane, CEO of Adventist Midwest Health, as and executive vice president. This structure ensured balanced representation from both parent entities in guiding the integration.

Operational scope

At its peak in 2021, AMITA Health operated 19 hospitals and more than 230 outpatient sites of care, employing over 25,000 individuals. The system served communities across , with some outreach extending to parts of . AMITA Health's mission centered on extending the healing Christ through compassionate, holistic care that respected diverse traditions, while emphasizing preventive health initiatives, programs, and access to advanced medical services. This approach integrated -based values into daily operations, fostering an environment of inclusive healing for patients and families. Financially, AMITA Health generated annual net patient revenue exceeding $4 billion by 2018, functioning as a nonprofit joint operating company governed collaboratively by the boards of its parent organizations, Ascension and . The system's geographic emphasis was on the and its suburbs, such as Elk Grove Village, Hinsdale, and La Grange, where it provided comprehensive healthcare to urban and suburban populations.

History

Pre-merger organizations

The Alexian Brothers Health System was founded in 1866 by the Alexian Brothers, a Catholic religious order dedicated to serving the sick, poor, and marginalized through holistic care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Originating in Chicago with a small hospital in an old frame house, the system expanded over the decades to include multiple facilities focused on community health and support for vulnerable populations. By 2014, it operated five hospitals in the Chicago suburbs, including Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village and St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, emphasizing compassionate, faith-inspired service. Adventist Midwest Health, part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's broader network, was established as a regional in 1984 to coordinate care across Illinois facilities with a strong emphasis on preventive , and wellness programs. Its roots trace back to earlier Adventist institutions, such as the Hinsdale Sanitarium opened in 1904, but the modern system integrated operations for community-focused services aligned with Adventist principles of whole-person health. By 2014, it managed four hospitals in suburbs—Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, and Adventist GlenOaks Hospital—while incorporating observance in operations, such as limiting non-essential activities from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset to honor religious commitments. Prior to the partnership, both systems faced mounting challenges from escalating healthcare costs, regulatory pressures, and a highly competitive market dominated by larger networks like Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health Care. These factors strained resources for technology investments, care coordination, and service expansion, prompting a need for to enhance efficiency and reach without full asset consolidation. Negotiations between Alexian Brothers Health System and Adventist Midwest Health began in early 2014, culminating in a non-binding in June to form a joint operating company that would integrate operations while preserving separate ownership and denominational identities. Driven by aligned nonprofit, faith-based missions to deliver accessible care, the agreement addressed competitive pressures by combining their nine hospitals to serve over 1 million patients annually in the suburbs, despite differences in Catholic and Adventist traditions. A definitive agreement followed in October 2014, pending regulatory approval, marking a strategic step toward greater collaboration in a evolving healthcare landscape.

Merger and early years

AMITA Health was established in February 2015 as a joint operating company formed by Adventist Midwest Health and Alexian Brothers Health System, a subsidiary of Ascension. This partnership aimed to create an integrated health system delivering efficient, high-quality, faith-based care across the Chicago metropolitan area, combining the strengths of both organizations while preserving their religious heritages. The official name, selected from over 1,000 public submissions in a contest, was announced on April 13, 2015, marking the beginning of unified branding efforts to reflect the system's inclusive mission. Integration in the early years focused on standardizing administrative functions and operational processes, though the joint operating structure initially maintained separate governance from the parent organizations. Mark Frey was appointed president and CEO at launch, providing stable leadership without an initial co-CEO arrangement. Early achievements included the rollout of programs, such as a 2016 funding child psychiatric services, contributing to the system's annual provision of over $82 million in initiatives and $48 million in financial assistance. These efforts emphasized wellness education and accessible care, aligning with the interfaith commitment to compassionate service. Despite these advances, the partnership faced challenges in cultural integration between Catholic and Adventist staff, stemming from differing doctrinal perspectives on issues like and reproductive health services. Early financial performance benefited from aimed at cost efficiencies, though specific savings figures from 2015 to 2017 were not publicly detailed, with the focus on long-term operational synergies. By 2017, these foundational efforts had stabilized the system, setting the stage for further growth while navigating interfaith .

Expansion through acquisitions

In February 2018, Ascension reached an agreement to acquire Presence Health, a major Catholic health system in Illinois, for an undisclosed amount, with the transaction finalized in March 2018. This move integrated Presence's assets into AMITA Health, the joint venture between Ascension's Alexian Brothers Health System and Adventist Midwest Health, expanding AMITA's network from nine hospitals to 19 across the Chicago region. Presence Health itself had been formed in 2011 through the merger of Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care, two Catholic organizations that brought complementary geographic coverage, including facilities in downtown Chicago from Resurrection and in the southern and western suburbs from Provena. The integration bolstered AMITA's position in the Chicago market, where Presence held approximately 10 percent share prior to the deal, combining with AMITA's existing footprint to create one of the area's largest providers serving nearly 6 million residents. It also enhanced specialty services, particularly in , , , and orthopedics, by leveraging Presence's established programs and expanding access to advanced care through a diversified physician network of over 7,000 providers. However, the merger led to operational adjustments, including the discontinuation of certain low-utilization service lines at three smaller former Presence hospitals in to address redundancies and optimize resources across the expanded system. Strategically, the acquisition aimed to build a dominant regional network capable of managing more effectively, aligning the faith-based missions of both organizations while improving efficiency in delivering holistic care. Post-merger, AMITA's combined operations generated annual revenues exceeding $4 billion, underscoring the scale of the unified entity in ' competitive healthcare landscape.

Dissolution and split

On October 21, 2021, Ascension and AdventHealth announced their decision to dissolve the AMITA Health joint venture after nearly seven years of operation. The organizations stated that separating would allow each to more effectively address evolving consumer needs and expectations in the rapidly changing healthcare landscape. This move reversed the 2015 partnership formed between Adventist Midwest Health (part of AdventHealth) and Alexian Brothers Health System (part of Ascension), which had expanded through the 2018 addition of Presence Health facilities. The dissolution divided AMITA's network of 19 hospitals and associated outpatient facilities, with the split becoming effective on April 1, 2022. AdventHealth retained operational control of four hospitals originally from its Adventist Midwest Health portfolio, rebranding them as AdventHealth Bolingbrook, AdventHealth GlenOaks, AdventHealth Hinsdale, and AdventHealth La Grange. Ascension assumed responsibility for the remaining 15 hospitals, which were reorganized under Ascension Illinois, encompassing former Alexian Brothers and Presence Health sites such as Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Joseph. The division followed a disaffiliation agreement executed by the parent entities, ensuring each regained full governance over its contributed assets. The transition emphasized continuity, with both organizations committing to a phased process that avoided interruptions in patient care or services. Leadership roles were reassigned internally, including AMITA CEO Keith Parrott leading Ascension and AMITA EVP/COO Thor Thordarson overseeing AdventHealth's operations, to facilitate seamless operations. Staff transitions prioritized retention, with employed physicians and teams integrating into the respective parent systems' medical groups, maintaining over 24,000 positions across the network. By early 2022, the legal aspects of the dissolution were finalized, retiring the AMITA Health brand entirely and redirecting its digital presence to the successor entities' platforms. This marked the end of the joint operating company, allowing Ascension and to pursue independent strategies in the Chicago-area market without overlapping administrative structures.

Facilities and services

Hospital network

AMITA Health operated a network of 19 hospitals across the greater area from 2018 to 2022, providing a comprehensive range of inpatient services. The system encompassed , specialty, and rehabilitation facilities, primarily serving communities in the suburbs and urban centers of northeastern . These hospitals were integrated through mergers and the 2018 acquisition of Presence Health, enabling coordinated care delivery under a unified banner. The following table lists the core hospitals in the network, including their locations:
Hospital NameLocation
AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical CenterElk Grove Village
AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health HospitalHoffman Estates
AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation HospitalElk Grove Village
AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical CenterHoffman Estates
AMITA Health Women's and Children's HospitalHoffman Estates
AMITA Health Holy Family Medical CenterDes Plaines
AMITA Health Mercy Medical CenterAurora
AMITA Health Resurrection Medical CenterChicago
AMITA Health Saint Francis HospitalEvanston
AMITA Health Saint Joseph HospitalChicago
AMITA Health Saint Joseph HospitalElgin
AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical CenterJoliet
AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center*Chicago
AMITA Health St. Mary HospitalKankakee
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center BolingbrookBolingbrook
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center GlenOaksGlendale Heights
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center HinsdaleHinsdale
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center La GrangeLa Grange
* Comprises two hospitals on one campus. Key facilities within the network included specialized centers such as the AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, a major inpatient psychiatric facility offering comprehensive mental health services, and the AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center, designated as a Level II trauma center. The network featured a total of more than 4,400 licensed beds, supporting high-volume across various disciplines. Specialties emphasized throughout the hospitals included for advanced heart and vascular treatments, orthopedics for joint and musculoskeletal care, and services encompassing , gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine. Geographically, the hospitals were concentrated in Cook, DuPage, and Will counties, addressing the healthcare needs of both densely populated urban areas like and expansive suburban regions. This distribution allowed AMITA Health to provide accessible inpatient resources throughout northeastern .

Ambulatory and community services

AMITA Health operated an extensive network of over 230 outpatient and sites across and , encompassing urgent care centers, diagnostic imaging facilities, and offices designed to provide accessible non-hospital-based services. These facilities were integrated through the AMITA Health Medical Group, which included practices such as the AMITA Health Medical Group Heart & Vascular in and various locations in suburbs like Woodridge and Bolingbrook, supporting preventive care and routine health management for diverse patient populations. The organization emphasized community outreach through initiatives addressing , including food insecurity and preventive screenings. As part of the West Side United collaborative, AMITA Health contributed to the "Healthy Neighborhoods" efforts in 's west side communities, partnering with other hospitals to improve economic vitality and for approximately 550,000 residents. Specific programs included collaborations with local organizations and , such as providing free summer meals at AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago and Union Ridge Elementary School to combat child hunger during breaks from school nutrition programs. Additionally, AMITA Health supported free health screenings, including cancer detection events, as part of broader education partnerships with local schools and nonprofits to promote early intervention and wellness awareness. Specialized ambulatory services expanded following the 2018 merger with Presence Health, which added numerous outpatient facilities and enhanced capabilities for remote consultations. AMITA Health led in behavioral health outpatient programs, offering intensive options like the AMITA Health OPTIONS Outpatient Adult and Adolescent Programs, which provided therapy, medication management, and family support for conditions at sites such as the Behavioral Medicine Institute in Hoffman Estates. Integrative approaches incorporated faith-based wellness elements, including counseling that aligned with holistic principles from Catholic and Adventist traditions to support overall patient well-being. In response to the , AMITA Health piloted virtual care platforms in 2020, extending services to rural areas in through partnerships that improved access to primary and behavioral for underserved populations. These efforts built on pre-existing infrastructure, enabling over 4,200 affiliated providers to deliver remote monitoring and consultations while integrating with services for seamless care transitions.

Religious heritage

Catholic foundations

The Catholic foundations of AMITA Health trace back to the Congregation of the Alexian Brothers, a lay religious order founded in 1334 in the region of Aachen, Germany, dedicated to caring for the sick, poor, and dying during times of plague and social upheaval. The order established its first U.S. presence in 1866 with the opening of Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago, marking the beginning of a long tradition of Catholic-sponsored healthcare in the Midwest focused on compassionate service to vulnerable populations. This heritage was further strengthened through Presence Health, formed in 2011 through the merger of Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care, Catholic health systems sponsored by, among others, the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago—and later integrated into AMITA in 2018, aligning operations with the Catholic Church's Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (sixth edition, 2016). These directives emphasized principles of social justice, human dignity, and holistic care, particularly in end-of-life decisions and support for the underserved, guiding Presence Health's mission to integrate spiritual care with medical services. Operationally, AMITA Health's Catholic roots manifested in adherence to ethical policies prohibiting elective abortions and certain reproductive health procedures, in line with the Church's directives that prioritize the sanctity of life from conception. Facilities across the network, such as AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center and Saint Joseph Hospital , incorporated chapels for prayer and spiritual support, fostering an environment where faith informed patient care and staff ministry. Additionally, AMITA partnered with of the Archdiocese of Chicago to address socioeconomic needs in underserved communities, linking hospital services with social support programs for housing, food security, and family assistance on Chicago's West Side. Governance within AMITA reflected its Catholic sponsorship through Ascension, the parent organization of both Alexian Brothers Health System and Presence Health, which provided oversight to ensure alignment with Church teachings on ethical healthcare delivery. This structure maintained the integration of Catholic values into decision-making, from clinical protocols to community outreach, during the joint venture's operations from 2015 to 2022.

Adventist influences

The Seventh-day Adventist Church's emphasis on health as an integrated wholeness of body, mind, and spirit traces its origins to 19th-century American health reform movements, particularly a pivotal vision received by co-founder in 1863, which outlined principles of preventive living including proper diet, exercise, and temperance. This "health message" influenced the establishment of Adventist healthcare institutions, promoting holistic approaches that view healing as a divine ministry. Adventist Midwest Health, the Seventh-day Adventist entity that co-formed AMITA Health in 2015, incorporated these foundational principles into its facilities, such as offering vegetarian menu options in hospital cafeterias and enforcing smoke-free environments to align with church teachings on abstaining from tobacco and stimulants. Within AMITA Health, Adventist influences manifested in operational commitments to preventive care and , including educational programs on whole-food, plant-based nutrition to support community well-being and reduce chronic disease risks. Facilities upheld accommodations for observance, a core tenet of the , by discouraging elective surgeries and non-emergency procedures on to honor the day of rest, while prioritizing emergency care as an extension of compassionate ministry. Staff received training aligned with holistic models, drawing from Adventist principles of addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to foster comprehensive recovery. Prior to the dissolution of the , approximately 20% of AMITA's facilities—specifically four hospitals—retained explicit Adventist branding, such as AMITA Health Adventist Center Bolingbrook and AMITA Health Adventist Center Hinsdale, preserving visible ties to the church's health mission amid the shared Catholic-Adventist structure. Key initiatives under this influence included education efforts promoting healthy living, such as workshops on and stress reduction, reflecting the church's global emphasis on preventive wellness as a form of .

Legacy and impact

Healthcare contributions

AMITA Health advanced healthcare delivery through key innovations in clinical care and . The organization demonstrated in robotic surgery and advanced cancer treatments across its facilities, enabling more precise interventions and improved patient outcomes. For instance, AMITA Health Adventist Center Hinsdale utilized robotic-assisted surgery for various procedures, including those related to . Additionally, multiple AMITA facilities achieved Magnet Recognition from the , the highest honor for excellence, highlighting their commitment to superior patient care and . AMITA Health Adventist Center Hinsdale, for example, received this designation in 2020, reflecting sustained improvements in practices and patient satisfaction. The organization's community impact was evident in targeted programs addressing and crises. In partnership with the Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, AMITA Health funded and supported a child psychiatric program starting in 2016, achieving 100% medication compliance, 91% appointment compliance, and 70% improvement in children's functioning at home and school by 2017. During the in 2020-2021, AMITA Health played a vital role in regional response efforts, establishing drive-through testing sites, hotlines for inquiries, and community screening events in collaboration with local governments, such as in , to expand access for underserved populations. AMITA Health received notable recognition for its clinical performance, underscoring its contributions to high-quality care. In 2016, three AMITA hospitals—AMITA Health Alexian Brothers, AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale, and AMITA Health La Grange—were ranked among the top 20 in by for various specialties and procedures, based on metrics like patient outcomes and safety. Through affiliations and graduate medical education programs, AMITA Health supported physician training and research initiatives. As part of the Ascension network, AMITA facilities hosted residency programs, such as the family medicine residency at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital in , contributing to the development of skilled healthcare professionals focused on and . These efforts aligned with broader Ascension GME activities, which trained over 1,400 residents and fellows annually across more than 100 programs during AMITA's operational period.

Successor entities

Following the dissolution of AMITA Health in April 2022, assumed operational control of four hospitals in the area, rebranding them as AdventHealth Bolingbrook, AdventHealth GlenOaks, AdventHealth Hinsdale, and AdventHealth La Grange. These facilities maintained 's emphasis on holistic wellness and whole-person care, integrating services such as integrative medicine and programs. By 2023, expanded its outpatient offerings in the western suburbs through a with UChicago Medicine, forming UChicago Medicine AdventHealth to enhance access to advanced care in areas like and . Ascension Illinois took over 15 hospitals from the AMITA partnership in 2022, operating them under its banner until announcing a divestiture in July 2024. In March 2025, Ascension completed the sale of eight key facilities—Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Resurrection Medical Center in , Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, and Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in —to Prime Healthcare for approximately $370 million, along with four senior living facilities and associated physician practices. This transaction marked Ascension's strategic shift to focus on its remaining assets while addressing financial pressures. Prime Healthcare integrated the acquired hospitals into its network, referring to them collectively as Prime Healthcare Illinois and committing $250 million for facility upgrades, technology enhancements, and continued charity care programs. The for-profit operator emphasized operational efficiencies to address prior financial losses at the sites, retaining affiliations with the at select facilities like Saint Francis Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital through the Prime Healthcare Foundation. However, shortly after the acquisition, Prime terminated several services, including pediatric care at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Level II trauma designation at Medical Center in Aurora, and comprehensive obstetric and maternal care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. These changes, occurring within two months, prompted U.S. Senators and to demand explanations in May 2025 regarding impacts on patient access and compliance with commitments to maintain services for 24 months. Prime later realigned certain services and eliminated over 100 positions across the hospitals in mid-2025 (June) to streamline operations. The transitions preserved much of AMITA's legacy through smooth employee handovers, with Prime offering positions to substantially all associates from the acquired sites, resulting in minimal initial disruptions. Successor entities continued innovations from the era, such as integrated systems, enabling ongoing data sharing and care coordination in the region. As of late 2025, and Prime Healthcare Illinois facilities had largely stabilized, though remaining Ascension Illinois operations faced ongoing challenges, including a November 2025 application to close the unit at Ascension Illinois Elk Grove Village Hospital amid opposition from nurses concerned about community access.

References

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