Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and St. Joseph's Community Health Services announce oversight change

 

September 29, 2008

The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration announce that it is transferring complete oversight of St. Joseph's Community Health Services to the local board of directors.

FSPA President Marlene Weisenbeck said it was a mission-driven decision made in the best interest of St. Joseph's, the FSPA congregation and, most importantly, the people served by the two institutions. "As a corporate member, we do not have the human and material means to support the long-term plans that are developing," said Sister Weisenbeck. "We want to honor the enthusiasm of the board in planning for the future and encourage them to make the decisions they see fit to provide quality health care in the Hill Country."

St. Joseph's CEO Bill Bruce said St. Joseph's is fortunate to have had the FSPA as a partner since 1956. "Numerous achievements over these years make this milestone possible-particularly in the hiring of a full complement of family care physicians and allied health care staff, in providing state-of-the-art lifesaving technologies, in attracting grant revenues and other value-added changes," said Bruce. "Today St. Joseph's is a strong health care provider and shows positive financial growth."

Bruce noted that St. Joseph's will always be grateful for the encouragement and mission support of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration over these many decades that make this historic moment possible.

The St. Joseph's board of directors is actively working with legal counsel to formalize the local structure under which it will continue to serve the medical needs of the community. The goal for completion of the transfer is December 31, 2008.

FSPA accepted ownership and management of the then St. Joseph's Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in 1956 from the Franciscan Sisters of Rice Lake. Under the guidance of FSPA, St. Joseph's was accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals in 1957, and in 1959 a nursing home was added to the hospital. The hospital has undergone several remodeling projects including an addition and renovation in 1995. Administration of St. Joseph's continued under the direction of the FSPA until 1970 and sisters continued serving in the hospital during the 1990s. Through 2008, several FSPA served on the board of directors.

Based in La Crosse, Wis., the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are engaged in furthering the work of the Catholic Church and the Gospel. The sisters work in the United States and internationally in varied ministries, creating innovative approaches to healing, teaching and praying.

St. Joseph's Community Health Services is an independent corporation providing medical services to the community through an acute-care hospital, nursing home and clinic. The organization serves people in a five-county area, including Vernon, Juneau, Sauk, Monroe and Richland, and many small towns including Hillsboro, Elroy and Wonewoc.