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Sisters of Charity Health System Assumes Full Ownership of Light of Hearts Villa


CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 22, 2014 – The Sisters of Charity Health System (SCHS) will become the sole sponsors of Light of Hearts Villa, a senior living facility previously jointly owned by SCHS and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, as of December 31, 2014.

Located in Bedford, Ohio, Light of Hearts Villa provides high quality senior residential living services, specializing in independent and assisted living, short-term respite stays and memory care. The facility includes 90 apartments and common areas on a 35-acre campus.

Light of Hearts Villa was established in 1989 by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, who are now part of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. SCHS became 50% sponsor of Light of Hearts Villa in 2001 and assumed management in 2009. Recently, the SCHS and Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati mutually agreed to full sponsorship of Light of Hearts Villa by SCHS.

“Light of Hearts Villa supports the continuum of health care services from outpatient services, acute care, assisted living and long-term care provided by the Sisters of Charity Health System,” said Terrence Kessler, president and CEO of SCHS. Headquartered in Cleveland, SCHS is the parent corporation of five Catholic hospitals, three grantmaking foundations, six community outreach organizations and two elder care facilities, including Light of Hearts Villa.

“Today and always, Lights of Hearts Villa carries forward the values of the Catholic sisters who founded and sponsored its faith-based mission of service to seniors,” said Carol Szczepanik, board chair of Light of Hearts Villa. “This ownership transition seamlessly continues our commitment to providing the highest quality of care.”

Light of Hearts Villa consistently receives excellent ratings for resident and family satisfaction as reported by Ohio Department of Aging surveys. Light of Hearts Villa has also received a 100-percent deficiency-free rating for the past three years in the annual Ohio Department of Health’s survey of licensed assisted living facilities. 

“We affirm the integrity of all our residents and encourage them on their journey of aging,” said Elizabeth Hickle, executive director of Lights of Hearts Villa. “We look forward to further collaboration with the Sisters of Charity Health System and its ministries in service to our residents and the community.” 

“We are all grateful for the work and vision of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and now Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati who continued the legacy of Lumen Cordium High School by converting this ministry into Light of Hearts Villa. It is a special place for us all,” said Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, chair of the public juridic person, the sponsor, of the SCHS.

More information about Lights of Hearts Villa is available at www.lightofheartsvilla.org

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About the Sisters of Charity Health System (SCHS)

The Sisters of Charity Health System was established in 1982 as the parent corporation for the sponsored ministries of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in Ohio and South Carolina. The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine is a congregation of women religious that, since founding in 1851, continues a faith-based legacy of high-quality, compassionate care in partnership with its co-ministers, who are the heart and hands of the ministry.

The Sisters of Charity Health System solely owns four Catholic hospitals: St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio; Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio; and Providence Hospital and Providence Orthopedic Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. In a 50/50 joint venture with University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Sisters of Charity Health System also co-owns St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio.

The Sisters of Charity Health System also oversees three grantmaking foundations located in Cleveland, Ohio; Canton, Ohio; and Columbia, South Carolina. Each foundation sponsors significant community initiatives and collaborations that address causes and consequences of poverty.

Outreach organizations within the Sisters of Charity Health System include Joseph’s Home, a unique residential care center for homeless men in Cleveland, Ohio; Early Childhood Resource Center for people working in childcare in all settings in Canton, Ohio; Healthy Learners, a health care resource for children from low-income families in South Carolina; and the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a state-wide organization supporting initiatives to reengage fathers in the lives of their children.

The Sisters of Charity Health System also provides residential elder care services at Regina Health Center in Richfield, Ohio, and Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio. 

Media contact

Rebecca L. Gallant
216-696-8408 (office)
216-288-0239 (cell)
rgallant@sistersofcharityhealth.org 


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