NOVI, Mich., Sept. 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Trinity Health, the fourth-largest Catholic health system in the United States, announced today that it is contributing $100,000 to the relief effort surrounding Hurricane Katrina. The health system also will match employee donations, up to an additional $100,000.
Working in partnership with the Catholic Health Association, Trinity Health will direct its initial donation to the American Red Cross and plans to donate the employee match to programs that are involved in long-term recovery efforts.
"As the magnitude of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina becomes more evident, we want to work with other like-minded organizations to focus resources on those most in need," said Joseph Swedish, President and CEO, Trinity Health. "This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families."
Additionally, staff members at various Trinity Health-owned or -managed hospitals are coordinating initiatives to assist hurricane victims with access to basic health services. Efforts are currently underway at several Southeast Michigan hospitals such as St. Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, and Mercy Hospital in Port Huron.
Based in Novi, Mich., Trinity Health is the country's fourth largest Catholic health care system based on total revenue. Sponsored by Catholic Health Ministries, the system operates 45 hospitals (29 owned, 16 managed), 384 outpatient facilities, numerous long-term care facilities, home health offices and hospice programs, a health care architectural firm, and a physician practice consulting company. Trinity Health also owns and operates Care Choices, a health maintenance organization, and Preferred Choices, a preferred provider organization. Employing approximately 44,000 full-time staff, Trinity Health reported $5.3 billion in unrestricted revenue and more than $478.0 million in community benefit ministry in fiscal year 2004. Trinity Health received the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award for the year 2004 from the National Committee for Quality Health Care (NCQHC). For more information about Trinity Health, visit www.trinity-health.org.
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