TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital Regional Health Care Center, a

part of Trinity Mother Frances Health System, has received an increased

bond rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc., an international financial ratings

firm. According to Health System officials, the increase from a BBB

rating to a BBB+ is based on numerous factors including a stable rating

outlook and rapidly growing utilization of health system facilities.

Moody’s Investor Services recently reaffirmed its Baa1 rating with a

stable outlook for Mother Frances, a rating comparable to Fitch’s

BBB+.



“We are very pleased that these two well-respected agencies gave us

their vote of confidence,” said Joyce Hester, CPA, chief financial

officer, Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “Bond ratings are

important and an indication of the overall health of a company. Our new

bond rating from Fitch and the affirmation of a Baa1 rating from

Moody’s shows that our leadership team and boards are good stewards

and are keeping Trinity Mother Frances on a path that will allow us to

continue to grow and serve an ever-expanding East Texas patient

population.”



As a faith-based, non-profit hospital, Mother Frances Hospital is

eligible to issue tax-exempt bonds. The bonds provide funding for

operations, additional and expanded facilities, and equipment.



The health system grew in recent years, adding new facilities in Lake

Palestine, Winnsboro and South Tyler. This week, TMF launched

ConnectCARE, a system-wide electronic health record (EHR), which is

powered by EPIC, the most commonly used EHR in the US. In December,

Trinity Mother Frances will open the area’s only freestanding cardiac

hospital, The Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, which will include

state-of-the-art technology and procedures.



About Trinity Mother Frances



Trinity Mother Frances includes The Louis and Peaches Owen Heart

Hospital, Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, Mother Frances

Hospital-Jacksonville, Mother Frances Hospital-Winnsboro, Trinity Mother

Frances Rehabilitation Hospital, affiliated with HealthSouth, Tyler

ContinueCARE Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and Trinity

Clinic. Trinity Clinic is the area's preferred multispecialty medical

group, with over 350 physicians and mid-level providers representing 39

specialties in 36 clinic locations serving East Texas.  For more

information on services available through Trinity Mother Frances

Hospitals and Clinics, visit tmfhc.org.