The health systems first announced their intent to partner in September 2022.
MercyOne, a nonprofit Catholic health system and member of Trinity Health, announced this week that it has acquired Genesis Health System to create a "unified system to strengthen access and enhance care."
Genesis Health System, a nonprofit health system with six hospitals headquartered in Davenport Iowa, and all of its interests and operations joined the West Des Moines, Iowa-based system on March 1, according to a press release.
"We are excited to welcome Genesis to MercyOne and look forward to shaping a framework to enhance access to personalized, convenient healthcare across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois," Bob Ritz, president and CEO of MercyOne, said in a statement. "Together, we are stronger and will deliver the highest quality care and the best patient experience to all those we serve."
The deal was first announced in September 2022, when Genesis Health System and MercyOne signed a letter of intent to "develop a strategic partnership" between the health systems. Since then, the organizations said that they have taken the necessary steps to finalize the agreement, including necessary regulatory filings.
The Genesis Health System board of directors unanimously voted MercyOne as its choice for a partner following an exploration process that began in December 2021.
"As part of MercyOne, Genesis will be able to leverage the skill, talent and scale of national and regional resources while retaining our local leadership and focus," Doug Cropper, president and CEO of Genesis Health System, said in a statement. "We will deepen our commitment to quality, safety and patient experience, and strengthen our workforce retention and recruitment efforts. By joining MercyOne, Genesis will continue our ability to grow, thrive, and deliver more integrated care in the region."
As part of the deal, the Genesis Health Services Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting charitable support for the health system's communities in the greater Quad Cities region of Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline, Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf Iowa, will continue to operate as part of the unified health system.
Genesis Philanthropy, a nonprofit organization focused on prevention and wellness in the region, will operate independently from the health system, under the new name of The Better Health Foundation. As part of the deal, Genesis Health System provided the organization with $40 million to help its future endeavors to be one of the region's preeminent granting organizations. The Better Health Foundation will be fully operational beginning July 1, 2023.
Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.