Bon Secours Health System and Mercy Health announced this summer that the two ministries have formed Bon Secours Mercy Health, creating one of the largest health care systems in the country. John M. Starcher Jr. was named president and chief executive officer.

Bon Secours Mercy Health is a combination of equals, according to a press release from the organization. The combined ministry will create opportunities for deepening its commitment to the communities it serves and expanding into complementary service areas across the country. Further integration of the ministries offers an opportunity within the United States and outside of its borders to bring healing and hope to those most in need.

The ministry will provide nearly $2 million per day ($640 million annually) in charity care and community benefit programs, helping to fulfill the important mission of extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus, the press release stated.

The combination announcement comes just six months after the systems announced their intent to come together. This expedited timeframe was made possible by early alignment of similar cultures and grounding in mission-based, quality care, as well as a focused, dedicated team of senior leaders who understood that this would create the opportunity to benefit millions of people across the communities they collectively serve.

As part of the collaborative process, which led to the terms in the Definitive Agreement, no outside resources were used — only internal governance, mission and legal teams were engaged — creating greater efficiencies and further expediting the combination of the two ministries. Following the creation of the terms which framed the combination, Deloitte Consulting was hired to assist with operational integration. This robust work continues.

“We have been blessed with an abundance of leadership talent across both Bon Secours and Mercy Health,” Starcher stated in the press release. “Each of these leaders brings significant experience and a clear vision for how we can work together to ensure patients remain at the center of everything we do. Their leadership and expertise will be key to our success as we continue working to integrate physician, clinical and operational leadership across our growing ministry and transform the way we provide care to the communities we serve.”