Three top area healthcare providers plan to join Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic in resuming much needed health services at the former Mercy Philadelphia Hospital (aka Misacordia Hospital) at 54th Street near Cedar Avenue.
“The COVID-19 epidemic has underscored the necessity of working together past the walls of individual institutions,” stated Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of Penn’ s Health System a key member of the new health partnership. “Collaboration and bringing together diverse expertise is the best way to make a difference for our communities,”
The new entity will be known as “Innovative Health Care Collaboration in West Philadelphia.” Trinity’s prospective partners include Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and Independence Blue
Cross, as well as Penn Medicine.
“Across Philadelphia, Black residents experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Chief Executive Officer of Independence Blue Cross. “At Independence, we have pledged to work with the community and partner organizations to address racial inequities in the healthcare system. This unique collaboration will put the priorities and needs of West [and Southwest] Philadelphia residents front and center.”
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney applauded the coalition’s plan. “Thank you to the coalition partners for their planned and thoughtful approach in maintaining and enhancing necessary health care and social services in West Philadelphia,” Kenney said. “Now more than ever our residents deserve access to high-quality health care and social services in their communities…”
Mercy Catholic Medical Center’s president, Christopher Cullom depicted the process going forward as follows:
“Throughout this transition, we at Mercy Catholic Medical Center have kept the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve at Mercy Philadelphia as our topmost priority.
“We are confident that through this new partnership, our Southwest Philadelphia community will continue to have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve,” stressed Collum. “We look forward to working with community leaders, elected officials, and our coalition partners to tailor the service mix to best meet the needs of our neighbors.”
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is also considering the provision of pediatric behavioral health services on the campus.
PHMC has been providing public health programs and services in Greater Philadelphia for almost 50 years. It will own and operate the present Mercy facility and lease space to the other community partners. Said Richard J. Cohen, the non-profit’s president and CEO. “…we look forward to this exciting collaboration with these premier health partners to further support access to high-quality integrated health care and social services.”
Penn Medicine will run the facility’s emergency department and accompanying inpatient medical and behavioral health beds as a remote location for HUP. Penn will provide both onsite and remote inpatient care in cooperation with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic will continue to serve the community through a variety of health-related services and operation of the nearby Mercy Senior Center at 45th Street and Chestnut Avenue.
While some acute care beds will be retained to support the emergency department, providers will work to connect patients to primary and community care providers. The four healthcare partners will approach other community organizations to address related issues, such
as food insecurity and health and wellness education.
Information for this article was provided by Angelica Flynn and Zach Raczka of AKGC Public Relations Counselors.
