Delegates to the 135th Annual Meeting passed a motion requesting that the Board of Benevolence present a plan at the 2022 or 2023 Annual Meeting “for the use of the proceeds of the sale of Swedish Covenant Hospital…that reflects fidelity to the historic mission of Swedish Covenant Hospital and its predecessor, Covenant Home of Mercy.”
Swedish Covenant Hospital and NorthShore University HealthSystem entered a partnership agreement on January 1, 2020. Technically, nonprofits enter into partnerships and are not sold. The agreement officially made Swedish Hospital a part of NorthShore. Covenant Ministries of Benevolence (CMB) previously operated the hospital.
Mark Olson, delegate from Bellingham (Washington) Covenant Church, introduced the motion.
Steve Klimkowski, executive director of finance, said he and the finance committee of the Covenant Executive Board communicate with CMB on a regular basis. The Executive Board is the sole shareholder of CMB, which is an affiliate of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Todd Slechta, president of Covenant Initiatives of Care and interim president of CMB, said the ministry would work with the finance committee to develop the plan.
