Managing change. A step-by-step process helps sponsors implement change smoothly

During the past six years the Catholic Health Association (CHA) has developed and modified a process to help leaders evaluate and implement merger, cosponsorship, and sponsorship transfer decisions. CHA's highest priority in these efforts has been to keep Catholic healthcare facilities under Catholic sponsorship, control, and management. Proposals to change sponsorship arrangements usually originate with sponsoring institutes, whereas local boards generally initiate merger proposals. In either case, it is critical that all interested parties--such as sponsors, boards, administrators, medical staff, employees, and the local Church--be involved in the decision-making process at some point. Once leaders have decided on a course of action, they should appoint a task force to implement the proposal. The board, administration, and medical staff will all have important roles to play in the implementation process. Another important step is to establish criteria for evaluating candidates for a proposed merger or sponsorship transfer. Leaders should ensure that people affected by the transaction have an opportunity to give input and to grieve their loss. After leaders have selected a candidate, they must negotiate the details of the agreement and take the necessary legal steps to complete the transaction. It is imperative that a facility secure outside legal counsel to help it through this stage.