Mercy Health System and Trinity Health of Michigan have signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) that could lead to Mercy Hospital & Medical Center’s joining Trinity Health. The LOI provides a framework to begin the process for affiliating the two organizations.

“Mercy Hospital has been privileged to serve Chicagoans for 159 years as the first teaching hospital in Chicago and a leader in the city’s health care market,” said Sister Sheila Lyne, RSM, president & CEO of Mercy Health System.

“While we stand strong today, we realize that, with the uncertainties of health care reform and the challenges facing stand-alone hospitals, we need to be responsible and consider an affiliation with a larger Catholic health system. Joining our ministry of healing with Trinity Health would provide us with the strong base of support needed to ensure we can continue to serve our community.”

Mercy and Trinity Health officials will evaluate the potential for affiliation further and complete key steps such as filing for regulatory approvals. If all progresses as planned, affiliation could conclude this spring.

“With this potential affiliation with Mercy Chicago, Trinity Health continues its commitment to strengthening Catholic health care in the Chicago area and across the nation,” said Joseph R. Swedish, president and CEO of Trinity Health.

Trinity Health and Mercy share complementary missions and legacies and have maintained a strong collaborative relationship for several years. Since 2009, Trinity has given Mercy opportunities for group purchasing and provided support via information services leadership.

“Trinity Health has roots with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, so our missions are aligned and our commitment to strengthening Catholic health care is passionately shared,” said Lyne.

“We believe that an affiliation between Mercy and Trinity Health will enhance the solid blueprint of Catholic health care in Chicago to the benefit of all we serve.”

With 479 licensed beds, Mercy is a Level II trauma center and runs a comprehensive network that includes the Mercy Family Health Center, a philanthropic foundation, 11 auxiliary care facilities, the Mercy WORKS occupational health program, and school health centers in Wendell Phillips and Dunbar Vocational Career Academies. To learn more about Mercy, visit www.mercy-chicago.org.

Based in Novi, MI, Trinity Health is one of the largest Catholic health systems in the United States. For more information about Trinity Health, visit www.trinity-health.org.