Catholic Health Initiatives, PeaceHealth Suspend Discussions on Joint-Venture in Pacific Northwest

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and PeaceHealth agreed on Tuesday, April 2, to suspend discussions to explore the formation of a unified, integrated regional health system in the Pacific Northwest.

The two health systems signed a nonbinding agreement in mid-August to create an innovative partnership that would allow both organizations to strengthen and extend their healing ministries.

Locally, this would have included Franciscan Health System and its services: St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, Franciscan Medical Group clinics and all other Franciscan services in King, Kitsap and Pierce Counties. 

Even with their common traditions of service, CHI and PeaceHealth were unable to develop an integrated model that would provide the desired benefits and serve the best interests of both organizations.

CHI and PeaceHealth will remain actively engaged in exploring other opportunities to work together to strengthen their respective ministries in the Pacific Northwest, according to a press release.

Through this process, CHI and PeaceHealth leaders developed a strong relationship based on the compatibility of the organizations, and they will continue to seek opportunities for growth and creative ways to better serve their communities.