October 13, 2009
Illinois Health Board Approves Advocate Health Care, BroMenn COE
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (IHFSRB) unanimously approved BroMenn Healthcare and Advocate Health Care's Change of Ownership Exemption application today. This critical ruling propels the two organizations one step closer to a merger following nearly 12 months of exclusive talks.
"This is good news for our patients, our staff, our physicians and our community," said Jim Skogsbergh, president and chief executive officer, Advocate Health Care. "BroMenn is a strong organization and we are excited about having them as a part of the Advocate family."
Both organizations' board of directors approved the merger agreeing that in addition to bringing sustainability in a challenging health care environment, a merger will also allow both not-for-profit health providers to strengthen and align their missions of serving the needs of individuals, families and communities.
"Advocate is committed to working with physicians in a community environment of integrated care," said Roger Hunt, president and chief executive officer, BroMenn Healthcare. "Advocate has developed one of the prime clinical integration models in the country and we are proud to be a part of that."
"With our shared faith-based roots and common mission, vision and philosophy, BroMenn and Advocate will both be stronger as a result of this merger," Skogsbergh said.
Next steps include federal regulatory approval with an anticipated closing on or about January 1, 2010.
Advocate Health Care, one of the nation's top 10 health systems based on clinical performance, is the largest health care provider in Illinois. Advocate operates more than 200 sites of care across metropolitan Chicago, including nine acute care hospitals, two children's hospitals, four Level I trauma centers (the state's highest designation in trauma care), a home health care company and one of the region's largest medical groups. As a not-for-profit, mission-based health system affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ, Advocate contributed more than $373 million in charitable care and services to communities across Chicagoland in 2008.