Franciscan Alliance and Hammond Clinic Physicians Form New Partnership

MISHAWAKA | Franciscan Alliance is expanding its health care network of physician services through a new partnership with physicians at the Hammond Clinic, according to Kevin Leahy, president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance.

The 60-plus physicians at the Hammond Clinic joined the Franciscan Alliance network of physicians in Northwest Indiana after signing an agreement Wednesday. The two groups have entered into a due diligence for the next few weeks, Leahy said.

"Franciscan Alliance and Franciscan St. Margaret Health have worked closely with the Hammond Clinic for decades; most recently partnering with them at Franciscan Physicians Hospital," said Leahy. "The physicians and staff at the Hammond Clinic share Franciscan Alliance's passion for high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care. Together we will strive to continuously improve patient care, lower costs and combine the latest technology available."

The Hammond Clinic has served the community for nearly 60 years and continues to provide professional health care services with a highly skilled physician and nursing staff. It has locations in Munster and in St. John.

Cynthia Sanders, M.D., medical director/managing member of the Hammond Clinic, said, "The physician-owners of the Hammond Clinic are delighted to announce this partnership with Franciscan Alliance. This partnership takes advantage of the vast health care delivery expertise found in both organizations and builds on a working relationship between the two organizations that spans decades. We are bringing together two organizations whose goals are the delivery of high-quality, comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective health care to the residents of Northwest Indiana."

There are approximately 250 employed physicians among the four Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Northwest Indiana. Overall, when combining both employed and official members of the medical staffs at the Franciscan Alliance hospitals and the Hammond Clinic, the number exceeds 1,250 physicians serving northern Indiana.

Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF, chairperson of Franciscan Alliance stated, "The mission of Franciscan Alliance is to continue Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition. As we do our best to carry on what Christ showed us through his many examples of healing, we are now joined in a closer relationship with the Hammond Clinic; an organization with hundreds of employees who, like Christ and our Sisters and co-workers at Franciscan Alliance, have chosen to dedicate their lives to improving the lives of others. It is a pleasure to share this journey with all members of the Hammond Clinic family."

Gene Diamond, regional CEO of the Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana added, "Franciscan Physicians Hospital, along with Saint Margaret Health, will benefit from the synergies generated by our enhanced relationship with the Hammond Clinic. We already have a strong partnership at FPH. This is a logical next step, given the integration necessary to improve quality, control rising costs and meet the challenges of health care reform."

About Franciscan Alliance
Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 13 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Franciscan Alliance includes: Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Crown Point, Ind.; Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette East, Ind.; Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Lafayette Central, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Beech Grove, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Indianapolis, Ind.; Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville, Ind.; Franciscan St. James Health – Chicago Heights, Ill.; Franciscan St. James Health – Olympia Fields, Ill.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health – Hammond, Ind.; Franciscan St. Margaret Health – Dyer, Ind.; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC – Munster, Ind.