PEORIA, Ill. – Changes are looming for a powerhouse medical partnership in Peoria.
In a statement released on Monday, OSF Healthcare announced that the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, as well as the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, will transistion away from the St. Jude affiliate network on June 30th.
The Children’s Hospital and College of Medicine will operate independently as the OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute.
The hospital’s president Meg Zakrzewski says there will be a name change, but no changes for patients in Peoria.
“The physicians, nurses and care teams on staff at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute remain here, and care will continue as it has with no interruption to treatment, follow-up appointments, or support services,” Zakrzewski says.
She tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan Show” that the change is not really a break up, but rather a new phase for OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
“It’s a natural evolution of a relationship, not necessarily a breaking off. We will continue to collaborate (with St. Jude) on specific research studies, along with other organizations such as the Children’s Oncology Group,” Zakrzewski says.
“The OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois mission is to serve persons with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life. This is accomplished in collaboration with University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria which advances health for everyone through outstanding education, research, clinical care, social responsibility and collaboration,” OSF said in a statement.
OSF says additional information will be shared directly with families and patients to ensure continuity of care.
The St. Jude Affiliate Clinic opened in Peoria in 1972. It is currently located on the campus of the Children’s Hospital.
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