ABOVE: Stratum Health System President and CEO Jonathan Fleece (L) and Empath Health President and CEO Rafael Sciullo. Photo courtesy National Strategies PR.
TAMPA BAY | The boards of Empath Health and Stratum Health System have formally approved their merger, making way for the nonprofits to become one of the country’s largest health care systems.
Empath Health’s network of care supports patients facing chronic or advanced illnesses throughout Tampa Bay. It began in 1977 as Suncoast Hospice and its members include Empath Partners in Care (EPIC), which formed after the merger of the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) and Francis House in 2016.
Stratum Health System was founded in 2015 and focuses on managing the continuum of care through services in Southwest Florida. Its most recognized brand is Tidewell Hospice, established in 1980 to serve patients in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
The organizations announced Feb. 26 that they had entered into formal discussions to merge. They shared Dec. 10 that their boards had formally approved their plans to “create the country’s largest not-for-profit health system delivering non-acute care and services.”
“The combined organization will serve over 6,000 patients a day, creating a bridge between chronic, advanced and terminal care and providing seamless integration based on patient needs,” they shared. “In addition, it will provide a variety of community-based programs that reflect their commitment to the preservation of their charitable missions.”
“Today, we humbly come together to commit to combining our organizations in a thoughtful and meaningful way which will create positive impact across the communities we serve, the business partners we engage and the larger industry as a whole,” Empath Health President and CEO Rafael Sciullo said in their statement.
“As the saying goes, bigger does not automatically make you better,” he continued. “It is what we do with that opportunity that will allow us to create meaningful change while continuing to excel at doing what we do best … providing compassionate care to our patients and their families.”
“We are excited for this opportunity,” Stratum Health System President and CEO Jonathan Fleece added.
The year-end announcement follows months of collaboration. Throughout 2020, the organizations worked together to serve their patients amidst the global pandemic.
Empath and Stratum “worked collaboratively to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE), share best practices, and strengthen their overall processes to support their patients and families,” they noted. “Together, they will continue that momentum as they lead change both internally and within the industry at the state and national level.”
Once the merger is complete, Sciullo and Fleece will align under the newly-formed entity. Sciullo will serve as CEO of the new organization – which as of yet has not been named – and Fleece will serve as its president. Fleece will then lead the organization in each role upon Sciullo’s planned 2023 retirement.
Regulatory approvals for the merger are expected within the next few months. Once finalized, Empath Health, Suncoast Hospice, Stratum Health System and Tidewell Hospice will continue to operate under their current names.
“We both have strong, passionate teams that are ready to engage in building the new organization,” Fleece concluded. “As we finalize our plans to bring the two organizations together we are committed to improving all aspects of our business by listening not only to our colleagues but to our patients, their families, our business partners and the larger communities we call home.”
For more information about Empath Health, visit EmpathHealth.org. For more information about Stratum Health System, visit StratumHealthSystem.org.
