CHRISTUS in talks to acquire New Mexico medical center

Irving, Texas-based CHRISTUS Health is in talks to acquire Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, a 98-bed New Mexico hospital. The organizations have signed a nonbinding letter of intent and are in exclusive negotiations on the acquisition. CHRISTUS and Gerald Champion Regional are aiming to reach a final agreement this summer.

CHRISTUS is a nonprofit ministry system with 43 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico and 17 in Chile, Colombia and Mexico. It has more than 45,000 staff and more than 15,000 physicians. Gerald Champion Regional is in rural Alamogordo in South Central New Mexico. It is an independent, nonprofit community hospital with a Level III trauma center, 33 medicalsurgical specialties and a network of primary and specialty clinics. It has a staff of about 1,000 and contracts with about 160 providers.

CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is more than 200 miles north of Alamogordo.

According to a press release on the negotiations, CHRISTUS and Gerald Champion Regional are focused in their talks on elevating the Alamogordo hospital’s mission to serve the community, leveraging the strength of CHRISTUS’ network, investing in capital improvements, expanding recruitment and retention efforts and bolstering clinical capabilities.

Norm Arnold, Gerald Champion Regional board chair, said in the release that amid health care industry changes, “rural community hospitals like ours (are) facing the strongest headwinds.” The hospital’s Chief Executive Jim Heckert said the best way to honor the hospital’s 74-year legacy is “to ensure we have the resources and financial support to care for our community well into the future.”

Specifics on the deal were unavailable as Catholic Health World went to press.

gala raises $2 million

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, right, listens as Wright Lassiter III, chief executive officer of CommonSpirit Health, addresses attendees at the CommonSpirit Health Foundation’s Humankindness Gala. The event held May 18 at City Hall in San Francisco raised almost $2 million to support behavioral health initiatives across CommonSpirit Health. About 350 people attended. The gala was chaired by foundation board members Jed York, chief executive of the San Francisco 49ers, and Kristi Yamaguchi, professional ice skater, Olympian and founder of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream. Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, CHA president and chief executive officer, provided a blessing. CommonSpirit will use the funds to help reduce stigma related to mental health, depression and addiction; provide improved access to mental health care for people who are in crisis and seeking care in emergency departments; and implement proactive mental health screening to support people before their mental health concerns worsen to crisis level.

CHA seeks candidates for the position of senior director, theology & sponsorship.

The Catholic health ministry is the largest group of nonprofit health care providers in the nation. It is comprised of more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care and other health facilities. To ensure vital sponsorship and a vibrant future for the Catholic health ministry, CHA advocates with Congress, the administration, federal agencies and influential policy organizations to ensure that the nation’s health systems provide quality and affordable care across the continuum of health care delivery.

This position serves as a primary resource to sponsors of Catholic health care as they guide their sponsored works, transition to new forms of sponsorship, and come together as a sponsor community. Responsibilities include developing, implementing and evaluating programs, services and products designed to support sponsor groups and bishops; working in cooperation with other service areas within CHA; and providing research, education and formation for evolving forms of sponsorship and governance. Some travel is required.

CHA seeks candidates with:

A minimum of three years of experience in Catholic ministry governance and three-plus years of experience working in canonical sponsorship.

Experience and ability to understand and work collaboratively with church leaders.

Experience in nonprofit, corporate matters.

Demonstrated expertise in fostering a strong sense of Catholic identity and as it applies to ministry.

Understanding of Catholic theology and canon law as it applies to Catholic health ministry.

Experience with Catholic health care systems and with CHA.

Demonstrated expertise in effective communications and presentations.

Proven leadership experience in management or supervision.

This position requires a Ph.D. and/or master’s degree in theology, canon law or health care, or a combination of these.

Interested parties should direct resumes to the attention of:

Cara Brouder

Senior Director, Human Resources

Catholic Health Association HR@chausa.org

CHA offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

To view a more detailed posting for this position, visit the careers page on chausa.org.