Bon Secours St. Joseph Hospital Survives Impact of Hurricane Charley Only Emergency Department Open
in Area

Marriottsville, MD, August 17, 2004—Bon Secours St. Joseph Hospital sustained considerable damage from hurricane Charley last weekend. Despite the need to evacuate patients to other hospitals north of the path of the storm, St. Joseph’s staff maintained services in the emergency department and supporting lab and radiology and continues to serve the emergency needs of the storm ravaged area.

None of the employees, patients or residents at the hospital, nursing care and rehabilitation center nor the assisted living facility were injured. Sister Patricia A. Eck, chairperson of the Bon Secours Health System board of directors stated, “I commend all of our employees for their quick response and action. Clearly, they are directly responsible for the prevention of injury to patients, residents and themselves. And, their support of each other is exemplary.”

“It is our goal to get Bon Secours St. Joseph back fully operational as soon as possible, stated John Shea, senior vice president for Bon Secours Health System (BSHSI). We expect that by the end of this week we will have a better idea of when that might be.” BSHSI, and Zurich, its insurer are working to assess damages, and already have begun repairs to the roof and other areas of the hospital with water damage. “It is anticipated that we may be able to resume partial functionality and some services by the end of next week, if we can get construction materials in here quickly, stated Michael Harrington, chief executive officer of Bon Secours St. Joseph. In the interim, we will continue to serve the community through our emergency services.”

Bon Secours Venice Hospital, St. Joseph’s sister hospital in neighboring Venice, FL is caring for 200 special care patients which were evacuated to its care last week. The Bon Secours Venice staff has been very responsive and helpful in getting resources in place and stands ready to take patients and physicians to support the Port Charlotte needs. Mike Guley, Bon Secours Venice’s chief executive officer offered to provide support to physicians and to accommodate admissions needs.

Bon Secours St. Joseph Healthcare Group is comprised of Bon Secours St. Joseph Hospital, Bon Secours St. Joseph Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Center, and Bon Secours Place at Port Charlotte, an assisted living facility.
Bon Secours Health System, Inc., based in Marriottsville, Md., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns, manages or joint ventures 24 acute care, nine long-term care, eight assisted living and independent living and other facilities, primarily on the East Coast. Bon Secours Health System consists of more than 28,000 caregivers serving 15 communities in nine states. Its vision is to be a leader in Catholic health ministry reaching beyond tradition to liberate people’s potential and improve the communities it serves.