Remember St. Clare's

The End of an Era

End of an Era | Credit Union Merger | Joint Statement

After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and great anticipation - ground was finally broken for Schenectady’s new hospital. Throngs rushed to witness the first shovel of dirt being lifted and returned with growing enthusiasm for the dedication ceremony and subsequent opening on Sept. 1, 1949.

Fifty-eight years later - less than the span of a single lifetime - the hospital and its mission had run their course. The now infamous Berger Commission issued its edicts on Nov. 28, 2006. Among them: "Close Bellevue Hospital" and join St. Clare’s and Ellis Hospitals "under a single unified governance structure."

Today, Bellevue remains open - operating under the license and governance of Ellis Hospital. St. Clare’s, as Schenectady’s safety net provider, became increasingly overwhelmed by large numbers of uninsured and underinsured patients.

On January 17, 2008, St. Clare’s and Ellis announced a merger decision had been reached. In exchange for $28.5 million from the Department of Health to fund the hospital’s pension and other closing-related expenses, St. Clare’s agreed to surrender its operating license.

Ellis Hospital is expected to assume operation of St. Clare’s Hospital, its facilities and services during spring/summer, 2008.

End of an Era | Credit Union Merger | Joint Statement