Saint Peter’s Healthcare System to pursue strategic partnership

In pursuit of ensuring a “Catholic mission and identity,” Saint Peter’s Healthcare System said late Tuesday it will consider options for a potential strategic partnership or affiliation through a request for proposal process.In pursuit of ensuring a “Catholic mission and identity,” Saint Peter’s Healthcare System said late Tuesday it will consider options for a potential strategic partnership or affiliation through a request for proposal process.

A parent company of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, the 478-bed acute care teaching hospital, has served the community for 111 years.

“The process of identifying potential partners will begin this month with no specific timing as to when and if the organization ultimately will decide to establish a strategic partnership or affiliation,” Leslie Hirsch, interim CEO and president of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said in a statement.

“We have an obligation to be good stewards in planning for Saint Peter’s future,” he continued. “Through the RFP process, we will evaluate possible options, with a focus on finding a strategic partner or affiliate that would allow Saint Peter’s to retain its Catholic mission and identity, remain competitive in the changing health care environment, and yield the best possible outcome for its patients, employees, medical staff and the communities we serve.”

Hirsh added the process of identifying potential partners will begin this month with no specific timetable as to when and if the organization ultimately will decide to establish a strategic partnership or affiliation.