Welcome Carle Health!

Contact:

Brittany Simon, Carle Health

(217) 902-5201

Alyson McKean, Carle Health Methodist Hospital

(309) 409-5775

Carle Health, a central Illinois-based healthcare system, is proud to welcome the former UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois network along with Trillium Place and Methodist College into its system of care with a focus on improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. This union will bring an integrated network of three hospitals with 634 beds, more than 850 multi-specialty physicians, 76 clinics, home health and hospice services, a level two trauma center, many advanced specialty services, behavioral health services and a college into the Carle Health team. The closing agreement took effect on April 1st, marking the integration of these two prominent healthcare systems.

“Through this process we’ve found such a shared sense of purpose and it’s clear our partnership will enhance greater patient-centered healthcare in central Illinois,” James Leonard, MD, President and CEO, Carle Health says. “Our mission, vision, values and culture align, establishing a foundation to extend excellence in the delivery of healthcare services for years to come. Our future is bright. Wherever a person’s health journey takes them, we will be there to help them through.”

Methodist, Proctor and Pekin team members will join a robust vertically integrated health system, which brings together resources, technologies, innovations, knowledge, and experience from the many different parts of Carle’s broader organization – sharing expertise and efficiencies – all to serve our patients and health plan members better. Carle’s presence in the Greater Peoria area increases access to preventive care and improved health outcomes by combining care and coverage.

“We are stronger together,” Keith Knepp, MD, President, Carle Health Greater Peoria, says. “The strength of being one system with Carle Health is the chance to leverage more tools and resources throughout the organization in the best way possible. Patients have the opportunity to find the support they need close to home, and with providers, they know and trust.”

Current Greater Peoria patients will see no disruption to their care throughout this transition. There are no current changes to providers or locations where care is accessed. Teams are now collaborating to connect the expertise each brings to the relationship while furthering their shared patient-centered approach to care. Finalizing the closing agreements is one of many steps required to complete the full integration of complex health systems. Patients may continue to see legacy branding or references to previous names or origins in certain areas. These visuals and references will soon be updated to represent Carle Health holistically.

As part of integrating into the Carle Health system, the UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois Foundation is now Carle Health Center for Philanthropy – Greater Peoria. All donations, funds, and assets previously designated for programs and services at Methodist Hospital, Proctor Hospital, Pekin Hospital and the Young Minds Project will continue supporting the purposes identified by the donor. Gifts made in support of local programs and services will stay local.

Greater Peoria’s network of behavioral health and addiction recovery services currently operating under UnityPoint Health - UnityPlace will also transition to its new name, Trillium Place, as the organization becomes an affiliate of Carle Health. This new name, Trillium Place, holds significant meaning as teams continue providing much-needed community services. A formal name and branding will take place in May to celebrate this exciting milestone with patients, clients and the community.

Greater Peoria patients can call their doctor’s office with questions or visit Carle.org for more information. Carle Health is excited to serve the community and earn the privilege of being their trusted partner throughout their healthcare journey.

Note to editors: Media opportunities will be available Monday, April 3, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Reporters may join the welcome event at the Carle Health Methodist Atrium Medical Office Center at 900 Main St. After a brief presentation, you’ll be invited to participate in a press conference featuring leaders from Carle Health and the Greater Peoria team. If you plan on attending, please confirm your interest with publicrelations@carle.com.

About Carle Health

Carle Health is a vertically integrated system with a bold but simple mission: to be the trusted partner in all healthcare decisions for everyone who depends on it. Combining clinical care, health insurance, medical research and higher education, Carle Health provides highly accessible, high-quality care and service to improve health in communities throughout central Illinois and beyond. Always focused on its North Star – providing the best care possible for patients and health plan members – Carle Health is driven by a deep philanthropic spirit to solve real-world health issues now and into the future.

The system includes eight award-winning hospitals, multispecialty physician group practices with more than 1,000 doctors and advanced practice providers, provider-driven health insurance plans including Health Alliance™ and FirstCarolinaCare, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, Methodist College, Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, and other associated healthcare businesses – all working together to get patients and health plan members the care they need at the right time and at every point in their healthcare journey.

Founded in Urbana, IL, Carle Health has over 16,800 team members working across Illinois, Indiana, Washington, and North Carolina. It’s proud to be named a Great Place to Work®.

Through the dedication of Carle Health team members, the organization is honored by the awards and strong reputation it’s earned by providing excellent care and service. Carle Foundation Hospital ranks as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by Healthgrades®. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, and Carle Health Proctor Hospital all hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. Health Alliance is a leading provider-driven health insurance plan serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Washington. FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company proudly serves North Carolina. Across all its services and locations, Carle Health is proud to bring its patients and health plan members the exceptional, accessible and compassionate healthcare they deserve.

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