Consolidation seeks to retain Catholic, community presence

Confronted with a dwindling population and cutbacks in federal funds, DuBois Hospital, operated by the Sisters of Mercy, and nonsectarian Maple Avenue Hospital realized consolidation was needed for their mutual survival. Both desired a merger that would accommodate their philosophies and goals. The hospitals formed a consolidation team that consisted of a joint committee and selected consultants. With community interests set as a priority, the team undertook an educational process that established common objectives and a mutual understanding of each hospital's principles. The two hospitals became DuBois Regional Medical Center, with separate Catholic and community arms forming two corporate divisions. The trust terms by which the consolidated corporation was established contained legally enforceable requirements for maintaining Catholic presence in the new institution. A self-perpetuating 23-member board was established, with three members at all times to be Sisters of Mercy or their designees. This model is not a panacea for all similarly imperiled facilities; many will find replacing a purely Catholic hospital with a legally structured presence unacceptable. This structure, however, offers mutual Catholic and community benefits if the corporation adheres to its founding spirit.