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St. Francis Abandons Plans To Join Largest Catholic Health System In U.S.

By MATTHEW STURDEVANT

June 13, 2013

The organization that owns Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center has dropped its plans to join Ascension Health Care Network of St. Louis, Mo., the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.

Saint Francis Care Inc. declined to say why it is scrapping its plans, saying details of the decision are confidential.

"Our very high-quality clinical and operational performance will continue to provide, without interruption, the world-class, compassionate care that is our legacy," Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center CEO and President Christopher Dadlez said in a prepared statement. "I am especially grateful to the Saint Francis team for their diligent efforts in helping us reach this decision."

St. Francis is the largest Catholic hospital in New England.

The two hospital systems announced on Jan. 16 a letter of intent to have St. Francis join the Ascension Health Care Network. The letter has been allowed to expire.