The upcoming move from our current locations in South Bend and Mishawaka to the new Mishawaka-based facility at Edison Lakes raises considerable interest and understandable questions within our communities. In recognition that with change comes uncertainty, I would like to address the inquiries we most frequently hear and assure you of our continued, faith-based commitment and dedication to the greater St. Joseph County community.
Sincerely,
Nancy R. Hellyer
President & CEO
Q. Why did SJRMC make the decision to move?
Q. What type of process are you using to guide your
decision-making regarding the existing property?
Q. What will make the new hospital different from the
existing hospital in South Bend?
Q. Who decides what medical services will be in the
new hospital?
Q. What about advances in technology? What is your vision
for the new facility?
Q. How will SJRMC pay for the cost of the new $355 million
hospital?
Q. I have heard that the new hospital will be smaller
than the old one. Is this correct?
Q. Will I be able to receive any medical services from
Saint Joseph in South Bend? Is anything staying here?
Q. What will happen to the existing Saint Joseph hospital
and property in South Bend?
Q. Once the new hospital is built, what will happen
to the Mishawaka hospital? Will the new hospital impact the Plymouth
campus?
Q. A few people have said that Saint Joseph is abandoning
the at-risk community of South Bend. Is this true?
Q. Historically, Saint Joseph has been involved with
the community, especially the poor and those who do not have insurance.
Will this involvement stop once you move?
Q. How much does Saint Joseph provide in charity care
each year and is Saint Joseph considering ending this program?
Q. Who qualifies for financial assistance?
Q. Will current SJRMC employees lose their jobs?
Q. What is the role of the Sisters
in the operations of Saint Joseph?
Q. Main Street and Douglas Road are crowded with traffic.
How will you deal with this congestion?
Q. Are you concerned about some of these comments and
your image in the community?
Q. What are the next steps for your new hospital project?
Q. Why did SJRMC make the decision
to move?
Hellyer: During the late 1990s, SJRMC faced a major
decision regarding consolidation and/or relocation of its St. Joseph
County facilities.
This was due to two primary factors: (1) multiple challenges from
our aging facility in downtown South Bend and (2) the result of a
thorough review showing that the capital cost of a large-scale renovation
project for our South Bend and Mishawaka facilities would approximate
the cost of a new facility, built from the ground up to meet current
and future healthcare needs for the almost one million patients we
serve.
So, in 2004, SJRMC stepped beyond traditional thinking in healthcare
and embarked on a mission to create an exceptional regional system,
linking 21st Century medical technology with an unwavering commitment
to bring health services to our neighborhoods.
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Q. What type of process are you
using to guide your decision-making regarding the existing property?
Hellyer: We are working closely with the Northeast
Neighborhood Redevelopment Organization (NNRO) to assist us in our
strategic Master Planning process for the approximate 30 acres that
constitute our South Bend campus. The NNRO consists of five partners:
SJRMC, the City of South Bend, the University of Notre Dame, Madison
Center and Memorial Hospital. It has retained the services of a nationally
known redevelopment company that is assisting us in a complete 360°
vision. I see this as a unique opportunity to create a new neighborhood
and, as importantly, to blend the new with the existing neighborhood
and all that is around us.
The process includes several phases. The first, the one we are currently
in, is the outreach or listening phase. For example, in late June,
SJRMC, assisted by the NNRO, hosted outreach meetings for businesses,
the healthcare community and neighbors to obtain input on how the
site will be redeveloped. We were very appreciative of the understanding
and the extremely positive comments expressed, particularly from our
South Bend neighbors.
Additional phases in the process include the determination of options
for the site, a plan of consensus, a redefinition of consensus (to
allow for flexibility) in a written draft format, followed by the
final Master Plan. This process continues through the end of 2006.
In every phase, key stakeholders are fully involved, including neighbors,
local governmental officials and the community at large. It is important
for this planning process to be both fluid and market-driven, ensuring
this is a process that carefully evolves as it moves forward.
SJRMC and I are committed to doing something very special with this
property, and we are energized by our relationships with both the
public and private sectors.
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Q. What will make the new hospital
different from the existing hospital in South Bend?
Hellyer: The new, world-class $355 million facility
at Edison Lakes is designed with a focus on maximizing patient safety
and operational efficiencies. While our current facility in South
Bend has had numerous expansions over the years, our new hospital
will ensure that departments are adjacent to each other, both horizontally
and vertically, for improved flow of care for our patients, their
physicians and other caregivers. Because of its architectural design,
entering and exiting the hospital will be more streamlined for both
patients and visitors.
The mechanical systems in our new high-tech hospital will be more
efficient, providing state-of-the-art patient care and comfort. We
will utilize the Green Guidelines for Healthcare, a national certification
program for healthcare construction, using recycled and other environmentally
conscious materials for greater sustainability.
The safety aspect will continue to be improved; for example, bathrooms
will be designed to be adjacent to beds to assure patient safety.
In the past, hospital rooms on opposite sides of a hallway were mirror
images of each other. In the new building, rooms will be standardized
and set up identically the same, making them safer for both patients
and staff.
Our pharmacy will feature a fully automated medication distribution
system, utilizing barcode technology both within the pharmacy and
at patients' bedside.
Set on 90 acres, the new facility – located less than 10 miles
from our current one – will include a park area with a series
of ponds and walkways for the use and enjoyment of our patients, visitors,
physicians, staff and neighbors.
What will remain the same is our Mission of serving together in Trinity
Health, in the spirit of the Gospel, to improve the health of our
communities and to steward the resources entrusted to us.
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Q. Who decides what medical services
will be in the new hospital?
Hellyer: The recommendations and opinions of our
physicians and staff will be an integral part of the decision-making
process. Many of them sit on the Steering Committee with me for our
new hospital. We have teams providing thoughtful, detailed schematic
designs from which the final decisions will be made.
The core of the new campus will be a large, two-story diagnostic
and treatment center that will include the Emergency Department, Imaging,
Diagnostics, Surgery, Cath/IR, Interventional Cardiology and conferencing
areas. Multiple-story medical office buildings will connect to the
hospital, providing physicians, staff and patients quick, convenient
access.
In addition, multiple-story inpatient towers will provide 254 in-patient
private rooms and baths with a hotel-style feeling. A business center
will be available for patients and visiting family members.
Q. What about advances in technology?
What is your vision for the new facility?
Hellyer: We are currently working not only with
our physicians and Associates but also with internationally recognized
information technology consultants to ensure our patients' information
will accompany, or actually be ahead of them, at all times.
We will have thoroughly computerized, wireless technology throughout
the entire building. Patient data formerly gathered by the nursing
staff will be instantly downloaded for greater access and responsiveness
for the patient's care, while we will be vigilant regarding
patient confidentiality. High-tech innovations include developments
like “smart” patient beds that automatically weigh the
patient and provide immediate statistical information for the staff.
Trends we are addressing include document imaging and electronic
health records, voice and handwriting recognition, and highly advanced
clinical systems – along with how these components will interface
with existing systems.
Our new facility will combine the latest in high technology with
Saint Joseph's tradition of benevolent, compassionate care.
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Q. How will SJRMC pay for the cost
of the new $355 million hospital?
Hellyer: In order for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to become a reality, SJRMC will utilize four sources of funding to
finance our new world-class hospital. The first and largest source
of funding is from our parent company, Trinity Health. SJRMC is very
fortunate to have the full support of Trinity Health that will be
providing a loan of 80% or $284 million. The remaining 20% of the
cost or $71 million will come from the following three funding sources:
SJRMC, Inc., the City of Mishawaka and the community's philanthropic
support.
Q. I have heard that the new hospital will
be smaller than the old one. Is this correct?
Hellyer: Technically, yes, somewhat. Total space
will go from more than one million to nearly 650,000 square feet because
of improved efficiencies.
For example, the space is being designed so that like departments
will be adjacent to each other, connected by corridors. All Pre-Surgery,
Surgery and Post-Surgery Departments will be in the same area, sharing
a common waiting section. Where in our current South Bend facility,
Radiology and the Cardiovascular Cath Labs are far apart, in the new
facility they will be in close proximity to one another. Heating and
cooling systems' new technology will be more compact, reducing
the need for a large physical plant. Consolidated storage areas and
an improved distribution system for supplies and medications will
also conserve space. These improved efficiencies will be a great benefit
for our physicians, patients and their families.
Currently, almost 95% of patient rooms in our present South Bend
facility are designed to be semi-private. In the new facility, all
patient rooms will be private, again resulting in less wasted space
and more efficient, respectful patient care.
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Q. Will I be able to receive any
medical services from Saint Joseph in South Bend? Is anything staying
here?
Hellyer: Yes, of course. As a part of our overall
Master Plan, the Family Medicine Center on Cedar Street will continue
offering its healthcare services to the surrounding neighborhood.
I think this is very important, particularly for the underserved population
and the large number of seniors in that neighborhood who depend on
us for their primary medical care.
In addition, the three medical pavilions on Cedar Street will remain
in operation. We also plan to retain physician offices, service departments
– like our print shop and laundry, and administrative offices
for over 300 SJRMC associates at the South Bend campus. (Please see
the following response for additional details.) As a matter of interest,
our SJRMC laundry department services nearly 70 organizations, many
of them not-for-profit entities, in the South Bend community.
Our new, 40-foot Mobile Medical Unit will also be available to offer
screenings and preventative care to help reduce Emergency Department
trips for neighbors and others without a primary care physician.
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Q. What will happen to the existing
Saint Joseph hospital and property in South Bend?
Hellyer: As good corporate citizens, we believe
it is extremely important to take care of that property and the original
institution. We will continue to have a presence there in our three
medical pavilions for support operations like marketing, finance,
human resources, in addition to the print shop and laundry. Because
SJRMC believes strongly in good stewardship, we will consolidate these
administrative offices on the South Bend site, rather than building
costly office space at our new facility.
For the remainder of the site, we are working with the Northeast
Neighborhood Redevelopment Organization (as discussed in a previous
question), the City of South Bend, major employers and residents to
find an appropriate use for the property. We have also identified
six additional groups we will work with, including SJRMC administration,
healthcare leaders, the University of Notre Dame, local governments,
churches and not-for-profit organizations.
I want to emphasize that the City of South Bend and our relationship
with them are extremely important to us. Consequently, nothing will
be abandoned. If an appropriate use is not identified, we will turn
the property into green space for local residents and the community
to enjoy.
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Q. Once the new hospital is built,
what will happen to the Mishawaka hospital? Will the new hospital
impact the Plymouth campus?
Hellyer: SJRMC is committed to the City of Mishawaka.
We will retain a presence in the downtown and continue to retain a
number of services, including urgent care. We are currently assessing
the possibility of expanding our wound care at that location and creating
a specialty care hospital with skilled nursing and inpatient rehabilitation
in Mishawaka.
Our Plymouth facility will continue to grow and expand. We are committing
between $23-28 million in capital improvements there over the next
five years.
Q. A few people have said that
Saint Joseph is abandoning the at-risk community of South Bend. Is
this true?
Hellyer: No, we are absolutely not abandoning them.
Patient care at our current hospital represents only a small fraction
of our service to the at-risk community. We have the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center (formerly known as the Chapin Street Clinic),
the Family Medicine Center in Mishawaka and the Saint Joseph Care
Center in Plymouth. I assure you that our communities' day-to-day
needs will continue to be met; this is a core component of the Mission
of Saint Joseph's.
We are very proud of our new Mobile Medical Unit, a 40-foot vehicle,
complete with examination rooms, including mammography screening and
offering preventative care. By bringing healthcare to the neighborhoods,
this moveable care unit – the only one of its kind in Indiana
– helps reduce Emergency Department trips for those without
a primary care physician.
This new equipment with its high technology elevates the healthcare
we at SJRMC are able to provide to our underserved and underprivileged
populations – by taking our services directly to the neighborhoods
that need them – not only in St. Joseph County but also in Marshall
and LaGrange Counties.
In addition to our involvement with outstanding local not-for-profit
organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs and the YWCA of St.
Joseph County, we are committed to all the parochial schools in the
South Bend/Fort Wayne diocese of the Catholic Church through our school
nurse program. You may not be aware that we also serve every school
in the Penn-Harris-Madison and Mishawaka Community School systems.
This includes their large populations of underserved children, served
by both our school health nurse and school food programs. Last year,
we made 92,000 visits to P-H-M and 48,000 to Mishawaka schools –
for a total of 150,00 non-parochial school visits! We evaluate screenings,
administer medications, train aides and also fund programs for their
athletic trainers.
I am proud to say that we have additional partnerships in our communities
with groups like La Casa de Amistad, providing prenatal assessments
and other services for the Hispanic population, and a number of agencies
through United Health Services, like providing mammograms for clients
of River Bend Cancer Services through our Secret Sisters Society.
Plus diabetic and blood pressure screenings, tobacco cessation initiatives,
teaching young girls life skills – where we deal with both large
issues and the smaller ones that have the potential to change lives.
It is important to us to not only care for our patients' immediate
needs but also to help change the structures that permit them to be
in unhealthy or less than desirable environments.
Further partnerships include the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association for their financial support in serving as Heart
Walk's presenting sponsor and the March of Dimes as a prematurity
partner.
In partnership with Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis,
we also offer pediatric specialty clinics where specialists from Riley
come to our area to provide diagnoses for our young patients, sparing
the children and their parents the expense of traveling to Indianapolis.
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Q. Historically, Saint Joseph
has been involved with the community, especially the poor and those
who do not have insurance. Will this involvement stop once you move?
Hellyer: SJRMC is absolutely committed to continuing
our care for the poor and under-insured. One of the goals of our new
facility will be increased efficiency in all aspects of the work we
do, plus increased resources in the scope of what our mission is.
We'll have a world-class, spirituality-based healthcare facility
that continues to take care of those who look to us for their healthcare
needs.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. Becoming more cost
effective will positively affect our financial bottom line –
which, in turn, will enable us to give back even more to the communities
we are so honored to serve.
Q. How much does Saint Joseph
provide in charity care each year and is Saint Joseph considering
ending this program?
Hellyer: No, SJRMC is absolutely not ending this
program. We are fully committed to it; it is one of the reasons why
we exist.
For this fiscal year, ending June 30, 2006, Saint Joseph has provided
$19 million in funding for our charity care program. I am pleased
to say that program will continue to expand and be available to our
patients because we are dedicated to being a steward of the resources
that have been entrusted to us. This is our Mission. We are guided
by our goal of improving the health of the community through compassionate,
faith-based care.
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Q. Who qualifies for financial
assistance?
Hellyer: To qualify, patients must complete a financial
assistance application that is available in departments throughout
the hospital. We consider their income, assets and expenses. Patients
with up to 400% of the Federal poverty guidelines can qualify for
assistance.
Q. Will current SJRMC employees
lose their jobs?
Hellyer: SJRMC is always looking for ways to work
more efficiently, and we are aware that responsibilities are altered
through the natural process of attrition. However, we have no current
plans to eliminate staff positions when we open our new facility.
Between now and 2009, we will continually be assessing the needs of
our patients and taking advantage of opportunities to develop our
outstanding staff.
Members of our entire SJRMC leadership team – with representation
from the SJRMC Board of Trustees, the Hospital and the Foundation
Boards of Directors – are intimately involved with policy-making
for our organization and are guiding us as we pursue our mission of
creating an exceptional healthcare system.
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Q. What is the role of the Sisters
in the operations of Saint Joseph?
Hellyer: The Sisters of the Holy Cross play a vital
role in the life of the organization. They're the spirit leaders
of the past, continuing our mission of providing quality healthcare
for all and, like Jesus Christ, serving the poor and underserved.
In the spirit of the Gospel, they believe Saint Joseph has a heritage
to follow and are dedicated in keeping that legacy alive.
The Sisters are actively involved in many ways. Some serve on the
SJRMC Advisory Board, meeting with me and key members of the administration.
This serves as a two-way communication tool, providing the Sisters
with updated information on the hospital, while their eyes and ears
in the community share needs to be addressed and new services that
may be needed, thereby connecting the present with a sense of the
future.
Some Sisters are employed directly by the hospital, offering spiritual
and/or bilingual care. Others serve in a “Sister Presence”
capacity, helping throughout the hospital or being assigned to a specific
area, like cancer care. Here, they welcome, encourage and may pray
with patients, functioning as their companions for a day or number
of days.
Recently, one of the Sisters, Sister Maura Brannick, was recognized
for founding the Chapin Street Clinic 20 years ago, and the Clinic
has been renamed in her honor. In all, Sister Maura has served 60
years with Holy Cross healthcare. She represents the Sisters' belief
in connecting the past with hope for the future by providing continued
quality healthcare for all members of the SJRMC community.
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Q. Main Street and Douglas Road
are crowded with traffic. How will you deal with this congestion?
Hellyer: I believe that the City of Mishawaka is
being extremely forward thinking by making a number of road improvements,
greatly enhancing the city's overall infrastructure.
Various City departments are working to make logistical improvements
for emergency routes. One incorporates the Opticon traffic light system
with the capacity to alter traffic lights for emergency vehicles en
route to the hospital – thereby increasing safety for both patients
and the public.
Mayor Jeff Rea and his department heads have worked tirelessly to
ensure that the early stages of development of our new hospital campus
proceed smoothly.
Q. Are you concerned about some
of these comments and your image in the community?
Hellyer: We always take our patients' and
constituents' concerns seriously. We listen, and we respond.
While our physical buildings may change, our commitment to the community
will not. During the time our new facility is under construction,
we will carefully be assessing the needs at our current hospital.
We are still making renovations there, taking care of what needs to
be addressed, and will continue to through 2008, leading up to our
move.
SJRMC remains deeply committed to our Vision: “Guided by our
faith-based tradition, we will continue to provide exceptional healthcare
to all we serve…” with faith and hope, compassion and
unwavering loyalty.
Q. What are the next steps for
your new hospital project?
Hellyer: As part of our strategic Master Planning
process and as we complete the outreach phase, we will be finalizing
the design plans for the site. Next will be preparation for the excavation
of the physical site this fall. We have implemented a new Internet
website, www.mynewhospital.org, where you can find updates on the
project, a timeline and new renderings of facility's interior.
Prior to the excavation, a live web-cam (camera) will be added to
the website. In this way, the community -- including our partner organizations,
our neighbors who look to us for their healthcare needs and the general
public – will be able to view the progress being made and share
our excitement as we create our new world-class, state-of-the-art
regional medical center.
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