LAYTON—Davis Hospital and Medical Center has a new name and a new owner. It is now CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Davis. The faith-based health system owns and operates four other hospitals in Utah, Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley, Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley West, Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point (Lehi) and Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake. 

In May of this year, CommonSpirit took ownership of the hospitals and clinics and restored the name Holy Cross.

Holy Cross was started in 1875, when two Sisters of the Holy Cross came to Utah to establish a hospital for injured miners and railroad workers. They cared for thousands in the community for decades. 

“There is a long history of Holy Cross Hospitals,” said Holy Cross Hospital – Davis CEO Mike Jensen. “They were founded 148 years ago. CommonSpirit is part of a national system that serves several states.”

The nonprofit organization’s mission is: “As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.”

“It’s exciting for me to recognize faith-based health care,” said Jensen. “Their mission is more closely aligned to the culture on the ground in Davis County every day. They’re returning to their roots from 148 years ago. It sets us apart and puts us on the forefront to build a healthier community.”

It’s different because it is a nonprofit, he said. “We don’t answer to shareholders. We can be more active in the community. It changes the culture. We’re investing in the community and our employees. It makes a difference.”

Holy Cross – Davis employees went to the local food pantry in Layton where more than 600 people had applied for assistance before Thanksgiving.

“We’re focused on education and food insecurity,” said Jensen. “It’s beyond regular health care. We’re able to do what we’ve always loved to do. I think we’ll find an opportunity whenever something comes to our attention to get involved in the community with our staff members.”

The day to day way Holy Cross Hospital – Davis cares for patients is not going to change drastically, he said. “Being faith-based we recognize that we’re all children of God and made in his image. We’ll care for and nurture patients in that way.”

It’s refreshing to be able to openly express that and talk in those terms, said Jensen. “To share a belief in God’s love and Christ’s healing.”

There’s no proselyting, he said. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to try and convert you. These are common beliefs of a lot of other faiths.”

Health care workers are drawn to this, Jensen said. “Maybe some have faith or maybe not. We’ve not seen or don’t anticipate a problem. We don’t require employees to practice a belief. That’s personal on how they feel and what they believe.”

Jensen said the hospital welcomes all who come. “We care for everyone regardless of their beliefs. We care for them at the highest level.”

The five hospitals will have opportunities to work together. “We’ve always worked well with other hospitals,” he said. “Our goal is to share with each other the successes and lessons learned.”

With open enrollment for insurance plans going on now, Jensen encourages patients to make sure the hospital is part of their network.

“It’s always important to carefully review with your employer the choices that allow you to come here,” he said. “We offer some of the highest quality of specialty care that has been unique to Davis Hospital for years. It’s important to look at plans that cover those otherwise you have to leave the county for certain things. We don’t want you to have to drive for things that we’re good at right here.”

Holy Cross Hospital – Davis is mission driven, said Jensen. “We believe in what we want to provide the community with – which is access to excellent health care.”