Letters: Providence continues its strong legacy of healing with new brand

I believe in Providence.

The word “Providence” represents the divine care and guidance of God. It is also the namesake of Providence Hospitals, the Catholic health-care system in Columbia that has extended the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to people in the Midlands for more than 78 years.

When LifePoint Health acquired Providence in February, I personally attended a ceremony that installed the leadership of both Providence and LifePoint Health. I offered God’s blessing to these leaders and encouraged them to continue Christ’s healing ministry.

Providence Hospitals just announced that it has changed its name to Providence Health. In addition to changing its name, the health system unveiled a new purple-and-gold logo.

Change can frighten people. Some worry that with a brand change there will be a change in mission and focus. This, I assure you, is not the case with Providence.

The name has been changed to replace the word “hospitals” with “health” to encompass the system’s full complement of services, which will continue to be carried out as an extension of Christ’s healing mission. Purple and gold were specifically chosen for their liturgical representation as symbols of renewal and rebirth. Rising from the past with a renewed commitment to Catholic health care, this “new” brand is in fact a pledge to the spirit of Providence’s past.

Indeed, the legacy of Providence will remain strong for generations to come.

Thank God for Providence Health and its continued commitment to making communities healthier by extending Christ’s healing ministry.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Letters: Providence continues its strong legacy of healing with new brand."