Local Trinity Health organizations form Saint Joseph Health System

At the same time, the hospital and other Michiana ministries under parent company Trinity Health are merging into one coordinated health system.

The resulting entity will be known as Saint Joseph Health System. But it could take awhile before all of the signage is changed to reflect the new name.

In addition to acute hospital care, the new organization encompasses community wellness, physical rehabilitation, physician clinics, home care, skilled nursing care, outpatient services, independent and assisted senior living, memory care and affordable senior apartments. It expects to serve more than 200,000 people each year.

And although the health system's various entities have shared a parent company and have worked together to coordinate care, it now will be even easier for patients to navigate that system.

The decision to change clinical models is part of the vision of Trinity Health's CEO Richard J. Gilfillan to "focus on the triple aim of better health, better care and lower costs by 2020."