St. John's Health Center Gets a New Name

Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica will undergo a name change to Providence Saint John's Health Center on Saturday, when Providence Health & Services Southern California assumes sponsorship of the hospital.

The change -- which was approved by the state Attorney General's Office and the Holy See, the governing office of the Catholic Church -- is essentially a transfer of sponsorship from one nonprofit Catholic organization to another, with Providence taking over for SCL Health System.

The 266-bed hospital was founded in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The change in sponsorship will make it the sixth Providence hospital in the Los Angeles area and the 33rd in five Western states.

"This is a very exciting moment for Providence and for Providence Saint John's as we unite the legacies of our founders to continue advancing the art and science of quality and compassionate health care," according to Michael Hunn, senior vice president and chief executive of Providence Southern California.

"The Sisters of Charity have entrusted to Providence a nationally recognized center of healing, and we pledge to continue their mission in Santa Monica and the neighboring Westside communities," Hunn said.

--City News Service