BUSINESS DIGEST || Health system name changed

Name changed

YOUNGSTOWN

Catholic Health Partners, parent health-care system of Humility of Mary Health Partners, has changed its name to Mercy Health. The system already operates under the “Mercy” name in five of its seven markets.

Over the next several years, the Mercy Health name will be phased into all system facilities, including all HMHP facilities. In addition, the website will change to mercy.com.

Mercy Health is Ohio’s largest health system and the state’s fourth-largest employer with more than 1,000 physicians and 32,000 employees. With $6 billion in assets, Mercy Health operates more than 250 health facilities, including 23 hospitals, eight senior-living communities, five hospice programs and seven home-health agencies, Mercy Health officials said.

It provides nearly $9 billion in annual economic benefit in Ohio, according to a recent independent survey.

Donations accepted

CANFIELD

Handel’s is supporting the Mission for Love campaign to help the organization continue to work on the Pine Ridge Native American Indian Reservation.

The locations in Austintown, Boardman, Liberty, Poland and Youngstown are accepting donations for the cause.

Mission of Love volunteers have built 33 homes, a hospice center, language center, a greenhouse, office, visitor center, chamber of commerce building and others in addition to providing medical and dental care, sponsored funerals and delivered headstones.

Rural projects

WASHINGTON D.C.

The White House Rural Council announced the creation of the new U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund through which private entities can invest in job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country. An initial $10 billion is committed to the fund with greater investment expected to follow. Target investments will include hospitals, schools and other educational facilities, rural water and wastewater systems, energy projects, broadband expansion, local and regional food systems and other rural infrastructure.

W.Va. man sues GM over wife’s death

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

A West Virginia man has filed a lawsuit against General Motors Corp., claiming a defective ignition switch in a Chevrolet Cobalt caused a 2006 accident that killed his pregnant wife.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports Jason Vest of Princeton filed the lawsuit last week in Mercer County Circuit Court. It also names a parts manufacturer and a Princeton car dealership.

The lawsuit says 26-year-old Keisha Vest’s car failed to stop at an intersection and collided with a tractor-trailer in Mount Airy, N.C. The vehicle’s airbags didn’t deploy.

Earlier this year, GM began recalling older small cars such as the Cobalt and Saturn Ion to fix faulty ignition switches. GM says the switches have caused more than 13 deaths, although lawmakers say the death toll is closer to 100.

Staff/wire reports