<![CDATA[OSF HealthCare Newsroom]]> https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ en-us Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:18:22 +0200 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:33:35 +0100 <![CDATA[OSF HealthCare Newsroom]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1873.png https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ 144 OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center joins OSF Family https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/osf-healthcare-saint-katharine-medical-center-joins-osf-family/ https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/osf-healthcare-saint-katharine-medical-center-joins-osf-family/682526Key Takeaways: 

  • OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center becomes the 17th hospital in the OSF HealthCare Ministry. 
  • The former KSB Hospital is based in Dixon, Illinois and has six clinic locations in Lee and Ogle counties. 
  • With 900 Mission Partners (employees), OSF Saint Katharine is one of Lee County's biggest employers. 
]]>A blessing ceremony was held to welcome OSF Saint Katharine to the OSF HealthCare Ministry. 

]]>OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center is now part of the OSF HealthCare Ministry. The former KSB Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, became the 17th hospital in the Peoria-based integrated health system on January 1.

An 80-bed acute care hospital, OSF Saint Katharine is one of Lee County’s largest employers.

The Most Rev. David J. Malloy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockford, conducted the blessing and dedication ceremony on January 7, which followed months of work to integrate the former KSB facilities (including six clinic locations in Lee and Ogle counties) into OSF HealthCare. Additionally, OSF welcomes 900 new Mission Partners (employees) to the OSF Family.

In spring 2024, OSF HealthCare and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital (KSB Hospital) signed a letter of intent to obtain KSB, before finalizing agreements and seeking the necessary regulatory approvals.

“As health care continues to evolve, we are responsible for ensuring that we are planning for the future. The challenge of being a standalone, rural hospital in today’s financial environment, was an important element in our board’s consideration,” says David Schreiner, PhD, president/chief executive officer, KSB Hospital. “OSF HealthCare shares our deep commitment to caring for the health of rural communities and has demonstrated innovative ways to transform health care for the benefit of all people they serve.”

The hospital was originally named Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in 1897 when Judge Solomon Bethea donated his estate to honor his late wife, Katherine. The new name, OSF Saint Katharine, pays tribute to the hospital’s long-standing commitment to the Sauk Valley region and aligns with the values of OSF HealthCare.

“We have a great opportunity in Dixon and surrounding communities to advance healthcare that is connected to all the other pieces of OSF,” says August (AJ) Querciagrossa, CEO of the Western Region. “It's no different than our other communities, like Galesburg or Peru. When we talk about regional healthcare delivery models, I look at Dixon as a regional healthcare delivery model that will have access to higher, tertiary and quaternary care through the OSF network.”

Querciagrossa adds that he’s excited about the potential for the services that already exist at OSF Saint Katharine.

“We train the doctors of the future in Dixon, both in podiatry and in family medicine for our rural track,” says Querciagrossa. “I think that is imperative to all our successes, whether it's OSF or others, to continue to make sure rural medicine thrives.” 

OSF Saint Katharine will soon offer new services to the community including OSF OnCall, and OSF MyChart with the integration of Epic, the electronic medical record system used across the OSF Ministry. This will expand the focus on digital health access and other opportunities.

“The same people that are caring for all of our patients and our community members now are going to care for you with love and compassion,” says Jackie Kernan, president of OSF Saint Katharine.  “You're going to notice our name has changed, but the compassionate cares remain the same.”

A local community advisory council has been established to provide advice and counsel to hospital management and OSF. The council will focus on insight, guidance and the development of local strategies, in addition to providing feedback on the management of local facilities.

“I hope for our Dixon community members, that they feel that OSF came in and did an amazing job of enhancing the care that was provided,” says Kernan. “That they feel comfortable with the services and feel proud that we're here and that we're serving our community with Mission-driven care.”

With the addition of OSF Saint Katharine, OSF HealthCare employs nearly 25,000 Mission Partners at more than 150 locations – including 17 hospitals throughout Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

“For me and for all of our communities, thank you for the welcome, thank you for the kindness, your patience with us in the process as we get to know you better,” says Querciagrossa. “We're very grateful for that support, and truly looking forward to a very healthy and happy 2025.”

AJ Querciagrossa Interview Clips 

Jackie Kernan Interview Clips 

B-Roll 

]]> Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:17:00 -0600 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/f970157c-b60a-4a98-a3fe-6d1218d32f30/500_bishopmalloy.jpeg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/f970157c-b60a-4a98-a3fe-6d1218d32f30/bishopmalloy.jpeg?10000 KSB to be renamed OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ksb-to-be-renamed-osf-saint-katharine-medical-center/ https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ksb-to-be-renamed-osf-saint-katharine-medical-center/662483KSB Hospital, a cornerstone of the Dixon community for more than a century, is set to enter a new era with a fresh name that reflects its rich history and its future with OSF HealthCare. The hospital, originally named Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in 1897 when Judge Solomon Bethea donated his estate to honor his late wife Katherine, will soon be known as OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center. The new name pays tribute to the hospital’s long-standing commitment to the Sauk Valley region and aligns with the values of OSF HealthCare.

David Schreiner, President and CEO of KSB Hospital, said the name change is both a nod to the hospital’s history and a promise of continued dedication to the community. “This new name is a tribute to our legacy of service and represents a significant step forward as we join the OSF HealthCare family,” Schreiner said. “We are proud of our past and excited about the future as we continue our mission to provide exceptional care.”

The name change comes after the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the hospital’s change of ownership to OSF HealthCare, a decision met with broad support from both staff and local residents. The new name, OSF Saint Katharine, not only honors the memory of Katherine Shaw Bethea but also incorporates the hospital’s mission to enhance health care access and quality for the community.

August Querciagrossa, Regional CEO of OSF HealthCare, expressed enthusiasm about the integration: “Welcoming KSB Hospital into the OSF HealthCare family is a profound honor. The new name symbolizes our commitment to carrying forward the values and high standards that KSB has long embodied, and it underscores our shared vision for the future of health care in the region.”

The new name will officially be unveiled this winter, and the hospital’s leadership invites the community to participate in this momentous change. The new name and logo are more than just a rebranding effort; they symbolize a recommitment to the compassionate, high-quality care that has defined KSB for over 125 years.

As KSB Hospital embarks on this new chapter, the spirit of its founding will continue to inspire its mission, ensuring that the dedication to health and service remains stronger than ever.

]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:46:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/500_osfhealthcarelogonewstacked2017.jpg?63889 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/osfhealthcarelogonewstacked2017.jpg?63889 KSB receives state approval of change ownership to OSF HealthCare https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ksb-receives-state-approval-of-change-ownership-to-osf-healthcare/ https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/ksb-receives-state-approval-of-change-ownership-to-osf-healthcare/661879OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access, one transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners across 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home. OSF OnCall delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org

]]>KSB Hospital is excited to announce that the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has officially approved the change of ownership to OSF HealthCare. This pivotal decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for KSB Hospital, promising an even brighter future for health care in the Sauk Valley area.

David Schreiner, President and CEO of KSB Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm for the transition: “We are thrilled to receive the state’s approval, solidifying our partnership with OSF HealthCare. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to enhance the quality of care that our community has come to expect. OSF’s commitment to our mission and values makes them the perfect partner to help us build on our legacy of excellence.”

The process to identify a suitable partner began earlier this year when the KSB Hospital Board of Directors decided to explore affiliation options to secure the hospital's future. After a thorough review and careful consideration, OSF HealthCare was chosen as the best fit for KSB Hospital, a decision met with strong support from both staff and the community.

August Querciagrossa, Regional CEO of OSF HealthCare, shared his excitement about the new partnership: “We are honored to welcome KSB Hospital into the OSF HealthCare family. Our shared commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care will guide us as we work together to serve the Sauk Valley community. We look forward to building on the strong foundation established by KSB and achieving new milestones in patient care.”

As the transition moves forward, KSB Hospital and OSF HealthCare will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless integration, focusing on maintaining the high standards of care that KSB has always delivered. The community can expect to see enhanced services and continued investments in local health care, reflecting both organizations’ dedication to meeting the needs of the people they serve.

]]> Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:41:26 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/500_osfhealthcarelogonewstacked2017.jpg?63889 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1873/osfhealthcarelogonewstacked2017.jpg?63889 OSF HealthCare and KSB Hospital Sign Term Sheet https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/osf-healthcare-and-ksb-hospital-sign-term-sheet/ https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/osf-healthcare-and-ksb-hospital-sign-term-sheet/631344OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access, one transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners across 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home. OSF OnCall delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org

Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital is a not-for-profit, independent healthcare provider located in Dixon, Illinois. Known as KSB Hospital or KSB, the organization has 900 employees, 91 practitioners and provides specialty care at six locations in Lee and Ogle counties.

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OSF HealthCare and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital (KSB Hospital) have entered into exclusive negotiations, anticipating a full merger. A term sheet has been signed, and the two organizations will spend the next several months finalizing agreements and seeking the necessary regulatory approvals.

KSB Hospital conducted a thorough and comprehensive search before selecting OSF HealthCare as its partner. The rigorous process spanned several months, with numerous options considered. The resulting agreement includes $40 million in funding to support facility renovations, improve access to care locally, and create seamless referrals to subspecialties. Education, including the well-regarded residency programs at KSB Hospital, is also a key component of the agreement.

“As health care continues to evolve, we are responsible for ensuring that we are planning for the future. The challenge of being a standalone, rural hospital in today’s financial environment, was an important element in our board’s consideration,” said David Schreiner, PhD, President/Chief Executive Officer, KSB Hospital. “OSF HealthCare shares our deep commitment to caring for the health of rural communities and has demonstrated innovative ways to transform health care for the benefit of all people they serve.”

“Both KSB and OSF have long histories of serving the health and wellness needs of their communities,” emphasized Robert Sehring, Chief Executive Officer, OSF HealthCare. “Together, we will ensure continued quality and compassionate health care for the Dixon community and greater Sauk Valley region.” Sehring also shared that the health system looks forward to welcoming KSB practitioners and employees. “We appreciate that the process of selecting a new partner has created some degree of uncertainty for the employees of KSB and hope that they now feel reassured that the hospital will continue to serve the patients of the Sauk Valley communities well into the future,” Sehring said.

When the merger is finalized, a local community advisory council will be established to provide advice and counsel to hospital management and OSF. The council will focus on insight, guidance, and the development of local strategies, in addition to providing feedback on the management of local facilities. Upgrades to technology and expanded digital care offerings are other innovations the organizations intend to provide.

KSB Hospital was established in the late 1800s as an independent nonprofit organization. KSB has 900 employees and 91 practitioners and provides specialty care at six locations in Lee and Ogle counties.

Additional information will be shared as the merger details are finalized.

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