Still innovative after all these years. Bon Secours Health System has new sponsorship structure. Interview by Gordon...

In an interview with Health Progress, Sr. Patricia A. Eck, DBS, and Christopher M Carney, respectively the chairperson of the board and president/chief executive officer of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. (BSHSI), Marriotsville, MD, talked about their system, the Catholic health ministry, and not-for-profit healthcare in general. BSHSI is sponsored by the Congregation of Bon Secours, which was founded in Paris in 1824 to provide home healthcare for the poor. After coming to this country in 1881, the congregation continued giving home care and eventually established several hospitals, primarily on the East Coast. BSHSI was established in 1983 as a small network, but has since grown significantly, especially in the 1990s, as a number of formerly independent hospitals have chosen to join the system. Today BSHSI comprises 14 acute care hospitals, 6 long-term care facilities, 6 assisted-living facilities, and 10 home care organizations, in nine communities.