Providence Health & Services, Southern California, and SCL Health System announced they have reached a definitive agreement for Providence to assume sponsorship of Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.         

The definitive agreement is the culmination of months-long discussions between the two Catholic not-for-profit healthcare groups to chart a sustainable future for Saint John’s Health Center in the era of comprehensive health reform.

Providence will assume oversight of clinical programs and day-to-day operations of Saint John’s. In addition, the agreement reflects the parties’ mutual desire that Saint John’s continue its Catholic mission to provide compassionate health care to those in Santa Monica and surrounding West Side communities, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.

In June, SCL Health and Providence signed a non-binding letter of intent for the proposed sponsorship transfer. SCL Health decided to engage in exclusive discussions because of Providence’s expertise in managing Catholic hospitals and its extensive physician network in Southern California. Providence operates five acute care hospitals and an array of ancillary healthcare facilities across Los Angeles County.

The definitive agreement is subject to customary regulatory approval as well as review and approval by the California attorney general. The transfer of canonical sponsorship to Providence Ministries is subject to approval by the Archbishop of Los Angeles and the Holy See.