Greenville Health System (GHS) and Palmetto Health will unite under a new brand, Prisma Health, in early 2019.

Since November 2017, GHS and Palmetto Health have been operating as the Upstate and Midlands affiliates of SC Health Company, a not-for-profit, locally governed parent company. SC Health Company has served as an interim name. The parent company is being rebranded now under the new name, Prisma Health. Both affiliates will be rebranded as Prisma Health in early 2019. Campuses and hospitals will retain their core name identities like Baptist, Greenville Memorial, Laurens County, Richland and Tuomey.

Coming together under one name and brand is a reflection of how GHS and Palmetto Health have worked together to improve the health of all South Carolinians. Both affiliates will continue to connect teams, tools, technology and academics in an effort to make a lasting impact in the communities each has served for more than a century.

"This is an once-in-a-lifetime moment for our organization," said Prisma Health Co-Chief Executive Officer Charles D. Beaman Jr. "We're poised for great change. With a motivated 30,000-team-member workforce, we're confident we will continue to make strides to improve clinical quality, access to care and the patient experience for South Carolinians, while addressing the rising cost of health care."

When the affiliates first announced their partnership, they planned to retain their existing brands. Over time – and with input from leaders, physicians, team members, patients and community members – they realized that in order to become a single health company with a unified culture, it was necessary to come together under a unified brand for the entire organization.

"We've already learned so much from each other," said Prisma Health Co-Chief Executive Officer Michael C. Riordan. "What we're doing now will pave the way for transformative changes to health care in South Carolina. And through our efforts, we've already identified ways to achieve more together by operating as one organization under a single name and brand identity."

He added, "Although much is changing, much will remain the same, including both the Upstate and Midlands affiliates' longstanding dedication to patient care, unwavering commitment to their communities and a strong focus on academics and clinical research."

The new Prisma Health name reflects the diverse, multifaceted nature of the organization and its team members, as well as the bright future that lies ahead. Officials believe the name and distinctive logo distinguish Prisma Health from traditional health care systems and signal its intent to look at health, and health care, in a completely new way.

"There's no better time than now for us to come together," said James E. "Rick" Wheeler, board chairman of Prisma Health and vice president of M-D MetalSource. "South Carolina is facing a health crisis, and for years our state has hovered at the bottom of national health rankings. South Carolinians deserves better. We all deserve better. Prisma Health absolutely believes we can make significant improvements in our state's health by working together."

GHS President Spence Taylor, M.D. emphasized Prisma Health's commitment to its patients. "Patient care remains at the center of all we do. The trusted relationships between patients and their health care providers will not change, nor will our bedrock commitment to our communities and improving the lives of the people who live there, whether it's through patient care, academics or clinical research."

Palmetto Health President John Singerling added, "From the Upstate to the Midlands, we want our communities to see the Prisma Health name and know they can always turn to us for a personalized experience of high-quality, compassionate care. By unifying under one shared name, we will make it easier for our patients and their families to understand who we are and what we do when they need our services."

As part of the new identity, the current GHS and Palmetto Health brands, including their names and logos, will be retired in early 2019. Additionally, both affiliates have replaced their mission, vision and values statements with a new Purpose Statement.

Singerling added, "We are excited that all of our team members are coming together with one common goal: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference."

Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group, a joint venture between the Midlands affiliate of Prisma Health and the USC School of Medicine, will be renamed Prisma Health-USC Medical Group in late 2019.

For more information, please visit PrismaHealth.org.

About Prisma Health

Prisma Health is the largest not-for-profit health organization in South Carolina, serving more than 1.2 million patients annually. The new company is comprised of two affiliates — Greenville Health System as its Upstate affiliate and Palmetto Health as its Midlands affiliate — with more than 30,000 team members. Its objective is to improve the health of all South Carolinians through improved clinical quality, access to care and patient experience, while also addressing the rising cost of health care. Prisma Health is committed to academic and clinical research excellence and will continue to focus on educating the next generation of physicians, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals. For more information, visit prismahealth.org.