CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, formed on February 1, 2019, through the merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health.[1][2] As of 2024, it comprises 137 hospitals and around 2,300 care sites across 24 states, with over 160,000 employees, 45,000 nurses, and more than 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers.[3][4] The system emphasizes clinical excellence, compassionate care, and community benefit, providing $4.2 billion in charity care and unreimbursed costs annually as of its formation year, while advancing health equity and innovation in care delivery.[1][5] Guided by a mission to nurture the healing ministry of the Church and improve health especially for the vulnerable, CommonSpirit operates as the largest Catholic health system in the United States, integrating faith-based values with modern healthcare practices across acute care, ambulatory services, and population health initiatives.[6] Notable achievements include 55 hospitals ranked among the nation's best in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong performance in specialties like cardiology and orthopedics.[7] However, the organization has faced significant challenges, including a 2022 ransomware cyberattack that disrupted operations at over 160 facilities, leading to patient care delays, data exposure risks, and subsequent lawsuits alleging unpaid wages for affected staff.[8][9] Recent financial reports highlight ongoing operating losses amid broader industry pressures, underscoring vulnerabilities in large-scale healthcare integration.[10]
Formation and History
Pre-Merger Entities
Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) was founded on May 1, 1996, as a nonprofit, faith-based health system headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, through the consolidation of three Catholic health systems sponsored by religious congregations: the Franciscan Health System based in Aston, Pennsylvania; the Sisters of Charity Health Care Systems in Cincinnati, Ohio; and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care Corp. in Kansas City, Missouri.[11] This formation aimed to create a national Catholic health organization capable of addressing evolving healthcare challenges while adhering to Catholic teachings on care for the vulnerable. By the time of its alignment with Dignity Health, CHI operated facilities in 18 states and two U.S. territories, including over 100 hospitals, and employed a substantial workforce contributing to its role as one of the largest U.S. Catholic health systems.[12] Dignity Health, originally established as Catholic Healthcare West in 1986, emerged from the merger of 10 hospitals owned by two congregations of the Sisters of Mercy, who had vowed service to the poor, sick, and uneducated since their founding in Ireland in 1831.[13] Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the system expanded beyond its initial [West Coast](/page/West Coast) focus to include operations in Arizona and Nevada, emphasizing community-based care rooted in Mercy traditions. In January 2012, Catholic Healthcare West rebranded to Dignity Health amid a governance restructuring that transitioned it to a public-benefit corporation independent of direct diocesan control, while retaining Catholic identity through a revised ethical framework.[14] Pre-merger, Dignity Health managed approximately 40 hospitals and ancillary sites, supported by around 55,000 employees, with annual revenues exceeding $10 billion as recorded in fiscal year 2011 under its prior name.[15]The 2019 Merger
CommonSpirit Health was formed through the merger of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), based in Englewood, Colorado, and Dignity Health, headquartered in San Francisco, California.[16][17] The two organizations, both nonprofit Catholic health systems, pursued the combination to enhance their ability to deliver care amid rising industry pressures, including cost containment and expanding access to services.[18] The merger was structured as a ministry alignment rather than a traditional acquisition, preserving the Catholic identity and governance of both entities while creating a unified national system.[19] The affiliation agreement received conditional approval from the California Attorney General's Office on November 21, 2018, following review for antitrust concerns and charitable obligations.[19][20] Conditions imposed included commitments to provide no-cost or discounted care to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients; maintain community benefits programs; and avoid service reductions in underserved areas, reflecting scrutiny over market concentration in California where Dignity Health held significant presence.[21][22] The deal cleared without federal antitrust challenges, as the systems' footprints complemented rather than overlapped extensively.[18] The merger officially closed and CommonSpirit Health launched on February 1, 2019, integrating CHI's operations in 18 states with Dignity Health's focus on the West Coast.[23][12] The resulting entity operated 142 hospitals, over 700 care sites, and employed approximately 150,000 caregivers alongside 25,000 affiliated physicians across 21 states, positioning it as the largest nonprofit Catholic health system and second-largest nonprofit health system overall by revenue.[21][24] Combined fiscal year 2019 revenues reached nearly $29 billion, with $4.45 billion in community benefits and charity care delivered.[25] Leadership transitioned to co-CEOs Kevin Lofton from Dignity Health and Lloyd Dean from CHI, emphasizing a "merger of equals" approach to integration.[26][17]Post-Merger Developments and Expansions
Following the 2019 merger, CommonSpirit Health prioritized operational integration and pursued strategic expansions in ambulatory and home-based care to adapt to shifting patient demands. In fiscal year 2025, the system added 34 ambulatory sites across nine states, contributing to a total of 90 new ambulatory care facilities over the prior two fiscal years, as part of a broader emphasis on outpatient services amid ongoing financial pressures.[27] In August 2023, CommonSpirit assumed direct management of 15 hospitals and more than 240 care sites in Colorado and western Kansas after the dissolution of its Centura Health joint venture with AdventHealth, enhancing its regional footprint in those markets.[28] Earlier, the acquisition of CHI Health at Home expanded home health services into six additional states with 35 new locations, supporting growth in non-hospital care delivery.[29] The organization also pursued hospital expansions and acquisitions, including plans for a new medical tower at St. Anthony North Health Campus to add patient beds and accommodate rising demand.[30] In a separate transaction, Centura Health, a CommonSpirit division, agreed to acquire five hospitals, a medical group, and joint ventures in Utah from Steward Health Care, with the deal expected to integrate these assets into CommonSpirit's network upon closing.[31] Service enhancements included expansions in behavioral health and substance abuse treatment at facilities like Saint Joseph Health Continuing Care Hospital.[32] Strategic partnerships bolstered operational reach, such as a September 2024 long-term agreement with Kaiser Permanente to expand collaborative care in Colorado.[33] Meanwhile, CommonSpirit divested non-core assets, including announcing an agreement for Trinity Health to acquire its share of the MercyOne health system in Iowa and surrounding areas.[34] These moves occurred against a backdrop of volume growth in patient services, though tempered by persistent operating losses driven by inflation and reimbursement shortfalls through fiscal 2025.[35]Organizational Structure and Operations
Scale and Facilities
CommonSpirit Health operates 137 hospitals as part of its continuing operations, supplemented by 21 hospitals through unconsolidated joint ventures, alongside approximately 2,300 total care sites that encompass acute care facilities, ambulatory centers, clinics, and other outpatient locations.[36] These facilities include academic health systems, teaching hospitals, critical access hospitals, community hospitals, nursing colleges, home health agencies, senior living communities, and integrated medical groups, enabling a broad spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services.[36] The organization maintains roughly 18,980 staffed inpatient beds across its network, supporting high-volume care delivery with over 854,000 annual discharges reported in recent analyses.[37] It employs approximately 150,000 caregivers, including 45,000 nurses, and affiliates with more than 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians to staff these operations.[36][5] This scale positions CommonSpirit as one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States, with facilities distributed to address diverse regional healthcare demands.[37]Geographic Footprint
CommonSpirit Health operates across 24 states in the United States, delivering care through more than 2,200 sites including 138 hospitals, clinics, and other facilities.[5][38] This footprint positions it as one of the largest nonprofit health systems by geographic reach, with operations extending from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest and select Southern states.[5] The system's presence is concentrated in the western and central regions, reflecting the legacies of its predecessor organizations, Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. In California, it maintains a substantial network inherited from Dignity Health, including major urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco.[12] Other key western states include Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, where facilities such as those under Centura Health serve Colorado, Kansas, and Utah.[39][40] Midwestern and Plains states form another core area, encompassing Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Kansas, often through brands like CHI Health.[41] Southern and Eastern extensions include Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, and Illinois, the latter hosting the corporate headquarters in Chicago.[2][40] This distribution supports over 20 million patient encounters annually, with adaptations for regional demographics and needs.[4]Core Services and Specialties
CommonSpirit Health delivers comprehensive healthcare services across its network of over 140 hospitals and more than 2,200 care sites, including acute inpatient care, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and home health services.[5] Core offerings encompass primary care for routine preventive screenings, immunizations, and chronic disease management; emergency and urgent care for acute conditions; and surgical services ranging from minimally invasive procedures to complex operations.[42][43] In specialty care, the system emphasizes cardiology and heart care, including diagnostic imaging, vascular interventions, and advanced treatments for cardiovascular diseases.[44] Oncology services feature multidisciplinary cancer care, incorporating chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology at designated centers.[45] Orthopedics focuses on joint replacement, sports medicine, and musculoskeletal trauma, supported by rehabilitation programs.[39] Additional specialties include neurology and neuroscience for stroke care, epilepsy management, and neurosurgical procedures; women's health services covering obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive care; and pediatrics with neonatal intensive care units and child-specific treatments.[46] Behavioral health integrates mental health support, substance use treatment, and psychiatric services alongside physical care.[45] The system also provides infusion therapy, laboratory diagnostics, and senior care tailored to aging populations, including palliative and hospice options.[45] These services align with the organization's emphasis on integrated, patient-centered delivery across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.[44]Leadership and Governance
Executive Leadership
Wright Lassiter III, MHA, has served as Chief Executive Officer of CommonSpirit Health since October 2022, leading the nonprofit health system's strategic direction and operations across 142 hospitals and more than 2,000 care sites in 24 states. With over 30 years of executive experience, Lassiter previously held the CEO position at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, from 2017 to 2022, and earlier led Alameda Health System in Oakland, California, where he focused on improving access for underserved populations. His leadership emphasizes operational efficiency, community health initiatives, and advocacy, including past roles as chair of the American Hospital Association and America's Essential Hospitals.[47][48] The senior executive vice president team supports Lassiter in key functional areas. Terika Richardson, MPH, FACHE, acts as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2023, managing clinical and administrative operations with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare delivery and strategy.[49] Michelle Johnson Tidjani, JD, MBA, serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing legal, compliance, government relations, and risk management functions critical to the system's regulatory and ethical compliance.[50] Lilicia Bailey, PhD, MBA, holds the role of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, directing human resources, talent development, and workforce strategies for CommonSpirit's approximately 150,000 employees.[51] Thomas Kopfensteiner, STD, functions as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, ensuring organizational alignment with Catholic teachings and ethical directives amid the system's dual sponsorship by Catholic entities.[52] Daniel Barchi, MEM, leads as Chief Information Officer, advancing digital health infrastructure and data analytics to support clinical decision-making and patient care efficiency.[51] In finance, Dan Morissette currently serves as Chief Financial Officer, with Michael P. Browning appointed as his successor in the same senior executive vice president role effective January 2, 2026, bringing expertise from prior CFO positions at Spectrum Health and Henry Ford Health System.[53][54] Thomas McGinn, MD, MPH, directs clinical strategy as Chief Physician Executive, focusing on evidence-based practices and quality improvement, earning recognition as one of Modern Healthcare's 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in 2025.[55] This structure reflects CommonSpirit's emphasis on integrated mission-driven leadership post-2019 merger, with periodic executive transitions to address evolving healthcare challenges.[56]Board Structure and Catholic Sponsorship
CommonSpirit Health is sponsored by the Catholic Health Care Federation (CHCF), a public juridic person established under canon law to provide canonical oversight and ensure adherence to Catholic teachings in the organization's operations and mission.[57][58] This sponsorship model, formed in conjunction with the 2019 merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, transfers direct sponsorship from individual religious congregations to the CHCF, allowing for centralized governance while preserving the system's Catholic identity through ethical directives and spiritual direction.[57] The CHCF's role emphasizes the system's commitment to serving the poor and vulnerable, as rooted in Catholic social teaching, rather than direct operational control.[59] The Board of Stewardship Trustees serves as the primary governing body for CommonSpirit Health, a Colorado-based nonprofit public benefit corporation, overseeing strategic decisions, financial investments, and alignment with the sponsored Catholic mission.[36] The board establishes investment guidelines and ensures fiduciary responsibility, while integrating stewardship principles that reflect the organization's faith-based origins.[36] As of July 1, 2025, Antoinette Hardy-Waller, MJ, BSN, RN, serves as chair, succeeding Chris Lowney after her extensive career in nursing and healthcare leadership.[60][61] Board membership includes a mix of healthcare executives, physicians, and representatives from Catholic religious orders, such as Sister Ellen Dauwer, SC, PhD, underscoring the linkage between lay governance and ecclesiastical sponsorship.[51] Other notable members comprise Angela Archon, Peter Hanelt, Gary Kaplan, MD, FACP, FACMPE, FACPE, Wright Lassiter III, and Linda Medler, providing expertise in clinical, financial, and operational domains.[51] This structure facilitates the board's role in prioritizing community health investments and ethical compliance, with the CHCF providing canonical validation to maintain the system's status as a Catholic entity amid its expansive, non-profit operations across 24 states.[62][36]Financial Performance
Revenue Growth and Operating Results
CommonSpirit Health's revenue has grown consistently since its 2019 formation through the merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. For fiscal year 2023, ending June 30, 2023, the system reported operating revenues of approximately $34.2 billion.[3] This increased to $37 billion in fiscal year 2024, reflecting an 8.2% year-over-year growth driven by higher patient volumes and service line expansions.[63] Revenue growth accelerated to $40 billion in fiscal year 2025, an 8.5% rise, supported by continued volume increases and reimbursement adjustments amid inflationary pressures.[64] Operating results, however, have featured persistent losses despite revenue gains, attributed to elevated expenses from labor costs, supply chain disruptions, and lingering effects of a 2022 cybersecurity incident. In fiscal year 2023, CommonSpirit recorded an operating loss of $1.3 billion, with EBITDA of $698 million.[3] The fiscal year 2024 operating loss narrowed to $581 million, yielding an EBITDA of $1.6 billion (4.3% margin), as cost containment measures offset a 7.5% expense increase to $37.6 billion.[3] By fiscal year 2025, the operating loss further improved to $225 million (-0.6% margin), with expenses rising 6.6% to $40.3 billion, reflecting moderated labor spending and higher acuity case mixes that boosted reimbursement rates.[64] [65]| Fiscal Year | Revenue ($B) | Growth (%) | Operating Loss ($M) | EBITDA ($B) | EBITDA Margin (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34.2 | - | 1,300 | 0.698 | 2.0 |
| 2024 | 37.0 | 8.2 | 581 | 1.6 | 4.3 |
| 2025 | 40.0 | 8.5 | 225 | N/A | N/A |