Saint Francis and St. Mary's Are Joining UCSF Health

Frequently asked questions

• Why are Saint Francis, St. Mary’s and UCSF Health a good fit?

  Saint Francis, St. Mary's and UCSF Health jointly believe in comprehensively meeting the health care needs of all San Franciscans in a compassionate way. We have a long history of working together to advance the health of our community. Bringing together the community-based primary and secondary care that Saint Francis and St. Mary's provide with the complex care UCSF Health is known for allows us to build a more equitable, accessible ecosystem of care for all patients in our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Building on decades of collaboration between the organizations, the acquisition ensures that two of San Francisco's longest-serving community hospitals – and the unique services they provide – remain accessible to San Franciscans.

• What does Saint Francis and St. Mary's joining UCSF Health mean for patients?

  At this time, all Saint Francis and St. Mary's patients will continue to access services just as they do today at the same locations, through the same telephone numbers, and using the same digital health tools. Patients will be able to continue to receive primary and specialty care from their current providers. UCSF plans to make immediate investments to enhance hospital medicine programs and both emergency departments to better support care providers and improve patients' experience. Bringing Saint Francis and St. Mary's into the health system also expands access to UCSF Health's internationally renowned experts and highly specialized, innovative care.

• What does Saint Francis and St. Mary's joining UCSF Health mean for San Francisco?

  This is an opportunity to create a culturally responsive health care network that San Franciscans can rely on for everyday issues or a complicated health crisis – regardless of their ability to pay.

  In the near term, increasing staffing and resources at Saint Francis and St. Mary's will allow more patients across San Francisco to be seen at currently underutilized hospitals and will also help UCSF Health see more patients with complex health conditions at its other sites, including the new hospital at Parnassus Heights opening in 2030. Expanding access to care means more patients can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

• Will I need to change my insurance or my doctor to keep receiving care at Saint Francis or St. Mary's?

  No. Patients will continue to have access to all of the services and providers they have today, along with expanded access to UCSF Health's physicians. UCSF Health will continue to honor all insurance arrangements that are presently available at Saint Francis and St. Mary's.

• Are the hospitals changing their names?

  Yes. In recognition of their long history of caring for San Franciscans and deep roots in the community – and as the newest addition to our health system – the two hospitals' new names will be UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital and UCSF Health St. Mary's Hospital when they join UCSF Health.

• Why is UCSF Health investing in community-based healthcare?

  Bringing community care and academic medicine together is a unique opportunity for UCSF Health to meet the health needs of our community in an integrated and equitable way. We have served San Francisco for more than a century, from providing complex care backed by pioneering research to improving the health of underserved and under-resourced communities. For UCSF Health, community-based hospital care is also critical to meeting current and future patient demand while being responsive to the changing health care needs of the community.

• Will any services close as part of the acquisition?

  No. UCSF Health has committed to maintaining Saint Francis and St. Mary's existing services, ensuring patients have convenient local access to care for their primary and specialty care needs. We are committed to investing in the people, infrastructure, and programs at both hospitals and have already identified immediate opportunities to upgrade technology and equipment. UCSF Health also plans to strengthen services that the community already relies on by expanding key services, such as cardiology and surgery, in the first year and preserving services provided by the Bothin Burn Center, the Gender Institute, the McAuley Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, and the Sister Mary Philippa Health Center.

• Will there be any layoffs at Saint Francis or St. Mary's as a result of this change?

  No, there are no layoffs planned as a result of the acquisition and we look forward to welcoming the dedicated staff and physicians to UCSF Health.

• When will UCSF Health take over operations?

  We hope to complete the transaction by late spring or early summer. When the deal closes, Saint Francis and St. Mary's will officially become part of UCSF Health, and UCSF Health will take over operations.

• Will the hospitals retain any ties to Dignity Health, CommonSpirit Health, the Catholic Church or current policy-based restrictions on care?

  No, Saint Francis and St. Mary's will both become UCSF Health facilities when the acquisition is complete. As part of that integration, they will no longer have any religious affiliation and will not be subject to ethical religious directives, statements of common value, or any policy-based restrictions on care. All UCSF Health clinical policies will apply at UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital and UCSF Health St. Mary's Hospital, including our commitments to comprehensive reproductive care.

• What happens once the transaction is complete and UCSF Health takes over operations?

  Once the transaction is complete, UCSF Health will take over operations and maintain all current programs and services, utilizing the same locations, providers, phone numbers, and tools that patients are used to. UCSF Health will embark on a multiyear integration process, prioritizing patients and their care experience. We're committed to minimizing disruption to patients, services, and team members while we engage in long-term efforts to effectively support and align our services, staff and infrastructure. Long-term, UCSF Health will create a seamless experience for patients to get their care at any of our sites across the Bay Area, including UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital and UCSF Health St. Mary's Hospital.

• When these hospitals become UCSF Health facilities, will the signage and other materials change?

  Yes. On opening day, when UCSF Health takes over operations, signage and materials will be changed in critical areas. As part of our integration activities, all signage and all other materials will change over the first few years of operations.