St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital was once a prominent medical institution in New York City. This significant healthcare provider underwent substantial changes, leading to its current identity within a larger health system. The transformation involved a series of mergers and rebrandings, reflecting broader shifts within the healthcare industry.
A Legacy of Care: St. Luke’s Roosevelt’s History
The origins of St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital trace back to two distinct institutions: St. Luke’s Hospital and Roosevelt Hospital. St. Luke’s Hospital was founded in 1846 by William Augustus Muhlenberg, an Episcopal clergyman, with the aim of providing care for the city’s sick poor. It opened its doors to patients in 1858 on Fifth Avenue before relocating to a larger campus on 113th Street in 1896.
Roosevelt Hospital was established through a significant bequest from James Henry Roosevelt, a New York lawyer, who died in 1863. His vision was to create a hospital for the “reception and relief of sick and diseased persons,” regardless of their financial status. Roosevelt Hospital officially opened its doors in 1871.
These two independent hospitals merged on October 1, 1979, forming the St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. This union brought together two long-standing medical centers, known for their commitment to patient care. For decades, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt served a wide array of communities across Manhattan.
The Transformation: What Actually Occurred
The hospital’s transformation began in 1997 when St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center partnered with Beth Israel Medical Center. This led to Continuum Health Partners, a network integrating services across multiple campuses to enhance efficiency and coordinate care.
In September 2013, Continuum Health Partners merged with Mount Sinai Medical Center, creating the Mount Sinai Health System. This merger brought the former St. Luke’s-Roosevelt campuses under the Mount Sinai umbrella.
Following this, the campuses were renamed. In 2013, St. Luke’s Hospital became Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, and Roosevelt Hospital became Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital. Mount Sinai Roosevelt was renamed Mount Sinai West in November 2015. In February 2020, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s became Mount Sinai Morningside, with distinct operations from Mount Sinai West.
Driving Forces Behind the Change
The transformation of St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital into parts of the Mount Sinai Health System was influenced by broader healthcare industry trends. Economic pressures played a significant role, as hospitals faced rising operating costs and changes in reimbursement models. Consolidating resources allows organizations to achieve economies of scale and optimize financial stability.
The need for expanded service lines and greater market reach also contributed to these strategic decisions. Mergers enable health systems to offer diverse specialized medical services and extend their geographic footprint, improving access to advanced technology and expertise.
Shifts in patient care models and the desire for integrated healthcare delivery systems also spurred consolidation. Combining institutions allows for a more coordinated approach to patient care, reflecting a move towards comprehensive systems that adapt to evolving demands.
Today’s Landscape: The New Identity
The facilities that once comprised St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital now operate under new names within the Mount Sinai Health System. The former Roosevelt Hospital campus is now Mount Sinai West. It provides a broad range of medical services, including orthopedics, breast surgery, gastroenterology, neurology, and obstetrics and gynecology. Mount Sinai West also maintains a 24/7 emergency department, serving the Midtown and West Side neighborhoods.
The former St. Luke’s Hospital campus is now Mount Sinai Morningside. This facility functions as a level 2 trauma center and is a primary healthcare provider for the West Harlem and Morningside Heights communities. Mount Sinai Morningside offers comprehensive services, including cardiology, cancer care, bariatrics, digestive diseases, and pediatric emergency care. Both Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside are fully integrated components of the larger Mount Sinai Health System, contributing to its expansive network across the New York metropolitan area.