Frequently Asked Questions: The Acquisition of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital by UCSF Health
Foundation News & Updates
What is the history and status of the sale of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital to UCSF Health?
In February 2024, UCSF Health reached an agreement with Dignity Health to acquire Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center and their associated outpatient clinics. Negotiations to combine the facilities, resources and staff of these community-based health care providers has been underway for several years. UCSF Health plans a multi-year integration process for its new Community Hospital Division, with continuity among existing staff, programs and services.
As of August 1, 2024, Saint Francis is now part of UCSF Health and has been renamed UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital. UCSF Health has committed to maintaining Saint Francis’ existing emergency, primary and specialty care services and Centers of Excellence, and has announced plans to upgrade technology and equipment and strengthen existing cardiology and surgery programs.
How does the acquisition affect the Saint Francis Foundation?
The Foundation’s commitment to advance community health in San Francisco is resolute and continues without any interruption or change. The Foundation is an independent charitable 501(c)3 that has always operated as a separate financial entity from Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, with its own governing board of directors. Since 1979, the Foundation has provided more than $120 million in funding for vital hospital programs and services and support to community partners that improve local health care delivery and outcomes. The Foundation will continue to support the hospital’s patient care and community ecosystem as an independent philanthropic partner to UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital, but our philanthropic dollars will not be co-mingled with UCSF donor funds.
Will the Saint Francis Foundation continue to support community health care partners?
Absolutely. Our support of community partners improves health outcomes for the medically vulnerable throughout San Francisco and helps support a strong local health care delivery system. Ensuring that diverse and underserved populations have access to high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care outside of the traditional hospital environment is central to our mission.
Will the Board or staff of the Saint Francis Foundation change?
No. The Board and staff of the Foundation remain the same, with no change in roles or focus. In fact, the Foundation is updating its current strategic plan to ensure it can grow in capacity and impact in support of its long-term mission to support patient care at Saint Francis Hospital and its philanthropic community partners, to achieve optimal community health and patient outcomes.
Saint Francis is well-known for its Centers of Excellence. Will the Foundation continue to support these programs?
Yes. The Foundation will continue to allocate funding to support patient, physician and staff priorities and focus areas at the hospital, including support for the Gender Institute, Bothin Burn Center, Center for Sports Medicine, Behavioral Health and Rehabilitation services, and other acclaimed Saint Francis patient programs that will continue as part of UCSF Health. The Foundation’s philanthropic priorities are guided by our donors’ wishes and remain aligned with our four long-standing funding pillars: Medical Innovation and Transformation, Behavioral and Mental Health, Aging, and Crisis Management and Response.
Is Saint Francis closing any or all of its services, programs or facilities?
No. UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital will continue to serve patients from throughout the Bay Area as it has since 1905. Patients will continue to have access to the hospital’s excellent emergency, primary and specialty care services, as well as expanded health care and treatment resources offered through UCSF Health.
If a Saint Francis Foundation donor has donated to a specific hospital program or facility, will/could those dollars now be allocated to UCSF Health programs?
No. Our strict stewardship bylaws and fiduciary duty of care have always stipulated that all restricted gifts go to the donor’s designated hospital program, service or facility/equipment. Likewise, unrestricted gifts are allocated exclusively to Saint Francis Hospital programs or services and/or community partner initiatives as determined by the Foundation’s independent leadership team and board of directors.
Could legacy gifts to the hospital now go to other UCSF Health programs?
No. The Foundation will continue to manage and steward legacy gifts as an independent, charitable philanthropic organization serving the specific needs of Saint Francis Hospital and local community health care partners.
How does this sale impact Saint Francis physicians and staff?
UCSF Health has pledged to minimize disruption for hospital medical providers and employees during the multi-year integration process. The Saint Francis Foundation will continue to support Saint Francis physicians, nurses, providers and staff through our long-standing donor-driven recognition and continuing education grant programs, including Moy’s Heroes, Health Care Heroes, and Honorary Auxiliary Scholarships.