The transition of Ascension Via Christi Hospital to the Mercy Hospital system will begin on September 1 and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. Pittsburg area residents will notice signage changes at the hospital, but patient care will remain unaffected, potentially offering more convenience.

Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital Pittsburg, noted that the process started over a year ago. The first phase of transitioning to the Mercy Hospital system begins with a transfer of ownership on September 1. The final phase, involving an Epic Systems Corporation inpatient information system, will be completed around July 2025.

“There will be, during that period of time, a contract set up for transition services where Ascension is still going to be providing some services for us while we’re on some of these old systems,” Talbott said. He added that the transition mainly involves hospital campus buildings and outpatient practices.

“There will be minimal changes in the benefit structure and compensation,” he said. “Obviously pay practices don’t align perfectly, but they’re very similar. It’s two Catholic organizations and we behave pretty similarly.”

Talbott emphasized that patients might find the transition more convenient due to proximity to higher-level healthcare facilities. Mercy Hospital in Joplin is only 30 miles away compared to Wichita's tertiary care hospital, which is 150 miles distant.

“One of the things that we have historically had difficulty doing is convincing patients to go to Wichita... They prefer to go to Joplin, which is 30 miles away,” Talbott said. “As far as convenience for our patients, they’ll have a higher level of care closer to home.”

Jeremy Drinkwitz, president of Mercy Joplin communities, expressed enthusiasm about integrating Via Christi into the Mercy system in a February news release: “We’ve been impressed with the care Via Christi has provided Pittsburg for years, and we want to continue that long legacy of Catholic health care."

Mercy currently operates two hospitals in Kansas – Mercy Hospital Columbus and Mercy Specialty Hospital – Southeast Kansas in Galena – along with two primary care clinics.

Kevin Strecker, Ascension Via Christi’s president and CEO, stated that this transition ensures sustainable quality healthcare access for Pittsburg: “Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg has been committed to our mission of serving all persons... As a regional provider, Mercy is well positioned to carry on this legacy.”

Fr. John Lanzrath affirmed that this change guarantees continuity in Catholic healthcare for Southeast Kansas. The decision followed months of consultation between Ascension and Mercy hospital systems.

“Bishop Kemme wanted to make sure that we can do everything possible to provide Catholic care opportunities for all people of the diocese,” Fr. Lanzrath said.

Lanzrath highlighted broader challenges facing rural hospitals in Kansas: “Bishop Kemme’s concern continues for many hospitals...that are now in dire situations,” he noted regarding staffing issues and new federal mandates requiring increased nursing care hours per resident.

“The whole issue of health care right now – especially in rural parts of the state – that’s a grave concern," Fr. Lanzrath added. "Bishop Kemme wants to do everything possible...operated by Catholic health care facilities consistent with ethical and religious directives.”