Mercy, Sacred Heart collaborate on better plan for future
October 6, 2006, SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Mercy General Hospital representatives announced today that an agreement has been reached with Sacred Heart Parish School that helps lay a strong foundation for the future of both ministries.
The $15 million agreement was reached after months of negotiations intended to resolve the differences between the two organizations. For Mercy, this enables the healthcare ministry to reactivate its plans to build the Alex G. Spanos Heart Center/replacement building on its campus. Mercy is recognized as a leader in cardiac care. Among California's major heart programs, no hospital treats more patients and has better outcomes than Mercy General Hospital, which has been located at 40th and J Streets since the Sisters of Mercy founded it in 1925. "This agreement offers new options for Mercy General's construction and renovation project and our ability to continue providing excellent patient care for years to come," said Denny Powell, Mercy General's Hospital President.
The agreement also allows for the construction of a new Sacred Heart Parish School campus directly across 39th street from the existing school, on land currently occupied by Mercy General's vacant MercyCare nursing home and some residential housing. The new campus will allow Sacred Heart to operate in modern buildings designed for 21st century education in a setting that is removed from the hospital.
While the school has been a steadfast advocate for its students, the importance of the regional healthcare services provided by the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy General Hospital have also been a consideration over the last several years while the hospital's construction plans have evolved. Since December 2005, when the school reactivated the relocation discussion as a potential solution to the issues both organizations faced, these important realities have helped guide productive dialogue toward finalization of the agreement.
"We are pleased that this step has been taken and an agreement has been reached that is positive for both ministries," says Powell. "And yet, our work is not complete." Mercy has heard the concerned feedback from the community, including the school, and is addressing a number of factors in its construction plans, including: parking and traffic, size and scope of its proposed buildings, housing and discussing the possibility of a campus boundary prior to its joint application with the school being submitted to the City.
There will be many opportunities for public input on a revised concept. Mercy and Sacred Heart will engage the community in the planning process before submitting a joint proposal to the City. The plan will be subject to City approval.
Mercy General Hospital has been serving the Sacramento community for more than 100 years. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy General has been at its current site in the heart of East Sacramento since 1925. Mercy General Hospital has 342 licensed beds, a physician staff of more than 700 and delivers 2,600 babies annually. Mercy General is one of six Sacramento area hospitals that are part of Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), a system of 41 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada, which is co-sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of Auburn.
