Sarah Mitchell
Ascension is a leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the United States. It was formed in 1999 by the merger of two Catholic healthcare organizations, the Daughters of Charity National Health System and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System. As of 2021, Ascension is the largest Catholic health system in the country, employing over 142,000 people and operating more than 2,600 healthcare sites, including hospitals and senior living facilities. As a Catholic organization, Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which include restrictions on abortion services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Non-profit Catholic health system |
| Year of Formation | 1999 |
| Number of States in which it operates | 16 states and the District of Columbia |
| Number of Sites | Approximately 2,600 |
| Number of Hospitals | 94 wholly owned or consolidated hospitals, ownership interests in 27 additional hospitals through partnerships |
| Number of Senior Living Facilities | 34 |
| Number of Associates | Approximately 99,000 |
| Number of Aligned Providers | 23,000 |
| Amount spent on care for people in poverty and community benefit programs in FY2024 | $2.1 billion |
| Mission | Delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable |
| Ethical and Religious Directives | Bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services |
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What You'll Learn
- Ascension is a leading Catholic healthcare organization
- It is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care
- Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services
- It is one of the largest non-profit health systems in the US
- The organization has a wide network of hospitals and care sites
Ascension is a leading Catholic healthcare organization
As a Catholic organization, Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. These directives stipulate that doctors may never perform an abortion, even if it is necessary to save a woman's life in the case of extrauterine pregnancy. For example, in 2023, a patient named Kyleigh Thurman filed a complaint claiming that Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital refused to treat her ectopic pregnancy or transfer her to another hospital, resulting in a ruptured fallopian tube.
Despite ceasing its relationship with Catholic congregations in 2010, Ascension continues to identify as a Catholic health system and is committed to delivering compassionate and personalized care for all. Their clinical model is centered on the patient-clinician relationship, making it easier for patients to navigate their health journey and access the care they need. Ascension's mission is rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus as a healer, with a focus on serving those who are poor and vulnerable.
As of 2021, Ascension operated more than 2,600 healthcare sites in 16 states and Washington, D.C., including 142 hospitals and 40 senior living facilities. It employed more than 142,000 people and provided $2.1 billion in care for persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs in FY2024.
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It is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care
Ascension is a Catholic healthcare organization that is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care. It is one of the largest non-profit and Catholic health systems in the United States, with a presence in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Ascension operates approximately 2,600 sites of care, including hospitals, senior living facilities, and other healthcare services.
The organization's commitment to providing compassionate and personalized care is rooted in its Catholic identity and healing mission. Ascension's clinical model is centered on the patient-clinician relationship, making it easier for patients to navigate their health journey and access the care they need. Their mission is to serve all persons, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. They are dedicated to spiritually centered, holistic care that sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities.
Ascension's ethics department plays a critical role in fostering disciplined decision-making processes that promote the organization's mission, vision, values, and Catholic identity in both clinical and organizational realms. Patient safety is a key priority, with Ascension striving to achieve zero preventable harm by continually refining high-reliability practices and optimizing safety and quality standards across its care network.
The organization has a long history, advancing an 800-year legacy set forth by its original sponsor organizations to provide faith-based healthcare to those in need. In 1999, the Daughters of Charity National Health System and Sisters of St. Joseph Health System merged to create Ascension Health. In 2010, Ascension was recognized as a ministry of the Catholic Church, transcending individual sponsoring organizations. As a Catholic hospital system, Ascension is required to follow the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which include stipulations on abortion and other medical procedures.
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Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services
Ascension is a non-profit Catholic healthcare system that was formed in 1999 from the merger of two Catholic healthcare organizations: the Daughters of Charity National Health System and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System. As a Catholic organization, Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. These directives outline specific guidelines that Catholic health care institutions must follow, including restrictions on certain medical procedures and a commitment to providing care with dignity and respect.
The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services have a significant impact on the policies and practices of Catholic healthcare organizations like Ascension. One of the most notable and controversial aspects of these directives is the prohibition on abortion. Catholic hospitals, including Ascension, are required to abide by the directive that forbids doctors from performing abortions, even in cases where the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's life. This directive has been the subject of debate and criticism, particularly in situations where a woman's health or life is at risk.
In addition to the abortion restrictions, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services also shape other aspects of patient care and the overall mission of Catholic healthcare organizations. Ascension, for example, emphasizes its commitment to delivering compassionate and personalized care to all, especially the most vulnerable. This includes providing care to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay, and offering a wide range of healthcare services across the United States.
The directives also influence the organizational structure and operations of Catholic healthcare systems. Ascension, in particular, has a vast network of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, senior living facilities, and various care sites. The organization is committed to advancing its faith-based mission and providing holistic care that addresses the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of its patients. This approach to healthcare is deeply rooted in Catholic teachings and values.
As a Catholic healthcare organization, Ascension must navigate the complexities of adhering to religious directives while also providing modern medical care. This balance has been a challenge for Ascension, as evidenced by controversies and investigations the organization has faced. Nonetheless, Ascension continues to operate within the framework of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, shaping the care and services it provides to patients across its extensive network.
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It is one of the largest non-profit health systems in the US
Ascension is a Catholic healthcare system and one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States. It was formed in 1999 from the merger of two Catholic healthcare organizations: the Daughters of Charity National Health System and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System. In 2002, the Carondelet Health System joined Ascension Health, and in 2004, it was recognized as the largest Catholic healthcare system in the country.
As of 2021, Ascension operates more than 2,600 healthcare sites in 16 states and Washington, D.C., including 94 wholly-owned or consolidated hospitals and ownership interests in 27 additional hospitals through partnerships. It also operates 34 senior living facilities and employs more than 142,000 people.
Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate and personalized care to all, with a special focus on those who are most vulnerable. Its clinical model is centred on the patient-clinician relationship, making it easier for patients to navigate their healthcare journey and access the care they need. In FY2024, Ascension provided $2.1 billion in care for people living in poverty and other community benefit programs.
As a Catholic organization, Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which include stipulations that doctors may never perform abortions, even to save a woman's life in the case of extrauterine pregnancy. This has resulted in some controversy, with patients filing complaints and lawsuits against Ascension for refusing to treat ectopic pregnancies or transfer patients to other hospitals.
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The organization has a wide network of hospitals and care sites
Ascension is a Catholic healthcare system and one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States. It was formed in 1999 from the merger of two Catholic healthcare organizations: the Daughters of Charity National Health System and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System.
Ascension has a wide network of hospitals and care sites across the country. As of 2021, it operates more than 2,600 healthcare sites in 19 states and Washington, D.C., including 142 hospitals and 40 senior living facilities. It employs more than 142,000 people.
Ascension's network includes approximately 99,000 associates, 23,000 aligned providers, 94 wholly-owned or consolidated hospitals, and ownership interests in 27 additional hospitals through partnerships. The organization has a strong presence in 16 states and the District of Columbia, serving communities through its extensive network of care sites.
Ascension's hospitals and care sites offer a range of services, including critical care, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency services. They also provide non-acute care services such as home and hospice care, as well as infusion therapy through their Ascension at Home joint venture with Evolution Health.
The organization's commitment to patients and families is evident in its values and ethics. Ascension's Catholic identity and healing mission guide their practices, with a focus on providing compassionate and personalized care to all, especially those most vulnerable. Their ethics department plays a critical role in fostering disciplined decision-making processes that align with their Catholic identity and mission.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ascension is a Catholic health system and one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the United States.
Ascension's mission is to deliver compassionate and personalized care to all, especially the poor and vulnerable. They aim to provide spiritually centered, holistic care that improves the health of individuals and communities.
As of 2021, Ascension employed more than 142,000 people across 19 states and Washington, D.C., including 142 hospitals and 40 senior living facilities.
Ascension was formed in 1999 from the merger of two Catholic healthcare organizations: the Daughters of Charity National Health System and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System. In 2010, the Catholic congregations that had sponsored Ascension ceased their sponsorship, and it was recognized as a ministry of the Catholic Church.
As a Catholic organization, Ascension is bound by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. This includes directives that doctors may never perform an abortion, even to save a woman's life in the case of extrauterine pregnancy.
