FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              
Contact: Joe M. Grillo or Richard E. Nicolazzo
  Nicolazzo & Associates
  (617) 951-0000
  jgrillo@nicolazzo.com
  rnicolazzo@nicolazzo.com

SAINTS HEALTH SYSTEM NO LONGER IN AFFILIATION DISCUSSIONS WITH COVENANT HEALTH SYSTEMS
 
LOWELL, Mass., Sept. 7, 2010 – Saints Health System, the non-profit parent of Saints Medical Center, announced today that Covenant Health Systems, Tewksbury, Mass. has informed Saints of its decision to end affiliation discussions with Saints. Saints and Covenant entered into an affiliation agreement in April of 2009, which was subsequently amended several times to extend the deadline for the closing. 

According to Stephen J. Guimond, Saints interim President and CEO, Covenant ended the discussions, citing changing dynamics in the health care sector, among other reasons.  Covenant plans to focus on its existing operations.  The decision, said Guimond, has no impact on the quality or delivery of health care services at Saints Medical Center and its affiliated health care facilities.

“We are disappointed that the transaction will not be going forward,” said Guimond. “However, we are actively re-engaging in discussions with organizations who previously expressed interest in partnering with Saints, and we continue to explore other viable opportunities.  We also are continuing to execute a series of strategic business initiatives directed at ensuring the hospital’s long-term competitiveness and success in the region.”
 
 

About Saints Medical Center

Saints Medical Center is a not-for-profit, full service, acute care community hospital serving Greater Lowell and the Merrimack Valley since 1839.  A 163-bed licensed medical center, Saints provides advanced health services to 315,000 residents in 25 towns.  With nearly 400 physicians and 1,400 employees, Saints Medical Center is well known for outstanding medical care and patient-centered facilities including its Centers of Excellence in Cancer Care, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular Services and Women’s Health.  Saints also offers community-based care at several ambulatory sites and is dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the community.  Saints has clinical affiliations with leading Boston academic medical centers and is proud to be one of the top-rated hospitals in Massachusetts according to The Joint Commission.

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