Jefferson & Mercy Establish Shared Values

Common values will serve as the foundation of the efforts of Mercy Health System and Jefferson Health System to build a strong, successful Alliance. The Sponsorship, Identity and Human Resources Work Group studied the mission statements of the Jefferson Health System and the Mercy Health System and developed the following set of shared values:

*Seamless Care Delivery. Joint efforts of the Alliance will provide patients with access to the best health care, without fragmentation.

*Service Excellence and Quality. Healthcare services delivered through the alliance are characterized by a commitment to the highest quality of care for the patient.

*Respect for Members. The unique culture, philosophy and religious traditions of each member of the Alliance are respected and valued. The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services provide authoritative guidance on moral issues, generally, for Catholic healthcare and specifically, for Alliance activites.

*Community Focus and Social Accountability. Efforts of the Alliance will focus on the benefit of the community. The alliance will be socially accountable to the communities it serves by providing educational and preventive health services, and by demonstrating a special concern for the poor and disadvantaged.

*Regional Integrated System. While retaining their individual identities, the organizations of the Alliance will become interdependent, working together on healthcare initiatives to benefit the region.

*Concern for the Well-being of Employees. Employees of the Jefferson Health System and Mercy Health System are considered partners in this alliance, and are its strongest assets. A high concern for employees' well-being characterizes all Alliance activity.

*Advocacy and Influence. Through efforts to influence public healthcare policy, the alliance will advocate on behalf of issues of conscience and human need.

*Fiscal Responsibility. Efforts of the alliance will be guided by wise and responsible use of all resources ­ human, financial and material.

*Investment in Technology. As part of its commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery, the Alliance invests in technology and develops and upholds best practices in patient care.

*Education and Training. Through a commitment to education and training, practitioners throughout the Alliance continually enhance their knowledge, skills and ability in providing care.

*Cooperative Working Relationships. The shared values of cooperation and collaboration are hallmarks of dialogue, processes and developments of the alliance thereby maintaining focus on the goal to improve the health of the region.