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| Atlanta's oldest hospital falls on difficult times |
| Written by Alex Hildred |
| Friday, 13 August 2010 19:20 |
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Saint Joseph's Hospital could be on the auction block Built in 1880 by the Roman Catholic women's organization, Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's Hospital (originally named Atlanta Hospital) has long been a stalwart in the area's health care community. From 1900 until 1973, the hospital had a nursing school as well as the infirmary operation. Originally located in a small house on Baker Street, the hospital saw significant growth over its 130 years of operation, ultimately moving to its current North Atlanta location in February of 1978. Like so many venerable health care institutions, St. Joseph's has felt the pinch of an economy in disarray, caught between skyrocketing healthcare costs, a significant increase in the number of people who are unable to pay for care, and the inherent constraints of a Catholic hospital attempting to compete in a community with numerous for-profit healthcare facilities. Back in April, hospital officials attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate a partnership with Piedmont Healthcare in an effort to improve quality of care while reducing operating costs. At present, hospital officials are quick to dispel any rumors of an impending sale, stating that the hospital is engaged in exclusive negotiations with Emory Healthcare / Emory Spine Center to forge a partnership similar to one they had attempted earlier with Piedmont. While Saint Joseph's spokeswoman Amanda Rosseter stated that the board has not authorized the sale of the facility, chairman Steve Eaton said that while establishing a long-term partnership would be the best alternative, Saint Joseph's would not rule out any options, including a sale. By partnering with Emory, Saint Joseph's would effectively increase its market share, as well as expand its network of physicians and research facilities. There are a number of stumbling blocks that need to be overcome in such a partnership, not the least of which is the melding of the for-profit business model with Saint Joseph's Catholic mission statement. The hospital's reputation for compassion is one of its most attractive assets to a potential buyer, yet it would be unrealistic to expect that mission to survive unchanged under any kind of affiliation with a for-profit entity. And whether the hospital is able to forge a partnership with another entity or is sold outright, it's safe to say that there will be some job losses as a result. Such is the way of "progress." Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
