Member News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2006

PSJMC Joins National Network Of Children's Hospitals

The application by Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center to the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) has been accepted. Provena Saint Joe's who now becomes one of 199 institutions belonging to the nonprofit association, a collective voice for health systems devoted to the well-being of America's 70 million children and their families, no matter how sick or how poor.

"We are always working to provide our patients with the best and most up-to-date services, technology and standards," says Kathy Mikos, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Provena Saint Joe's. "Our partnership with the NACHI is another step towards building excellence for our community."

NACHRI is a not-for-profit membership association of children's hospitals, large pediatric units of medical centers and related organizations, including those that specialize in rehabilitative and long-term care of children with serious chronic or congenital illnesses. Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center was admitted as a supporter to NACHRI because its aims and activities fulfill a commitment to the advocacy of children and children's health.

"Participation in NACHRI offers us a vast communications network with people who understand children: their needs, their treatment, and the financing of their care," says Joan Cappelletti, Service Line Administrator for Provena Saint Joe's. "We look forward to bringing our leadership and special insights to the association and joining in the imperative for stronger advocacy on behalf of all children."

"We welcome Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center to the family of care givers devoted to improving the health of children, and we look forward to its active involvement," said NACHRI President and CEO Lawrence A. McAndrews. "Because of their focus on children, institutions like Provena Saint Joe's are able to identify emerging trends and problems associated with the health of children."

About NACHRI

Children's hospitals represent approximately three percent of all hospitals nationwide, but in 2001, they gave more than 6 million days of inpatient care to more than one million children at an annual cost of billion. The average children's hospital sees more than a quarter million children per year on an outpatient basis. With headquarters on the Virginia side of the Potomac River just across from the nation's capital, NACHRI's primary roles are advocacy for children and children's hospitals, public policy analysis, education for its members and the public and research.

Founded in 1968, NACHRI maintains extensive data on children's health in general and descriptive data on 199 members and the conditions they treat. Some of the issues NACHRI addresses include uninsured children, children dependent on Medicaid, injury prevention, child abuse and neglect, quality of care, patient safety and seriously ill children. NACHRI is a pioneer in advancing the concept of integrated child health care networks.

When fully developed, these networks will make sure that children get the most appropriate and economical health care from experts who are trained at centers of excellence and accountable to the public for children's health and health care.