Atrium Health Announced as Newest Chapter in Storied History of Carolinas HealthCare System

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 7, 2018 – Carolinas HealthCare System announced today its decision to carry forward the mission of the organization with a new name – Atrium Health. The milestone announcement reflects the transformation of the healthcare system from its beginnings as Charlotte Memorial Hospital to a healthcare system with a regional footprint and national profile for addressing many of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.

The name change to Atrium Health reflects the system’s evolution as it establishes the next generation of high-quality, high-value care, and looks to advance beyond traditional borders and care settings.

“It’s quite remarkable to think back to our humble beginnings in 1940, when a group of ambitious, young clinicians answered the call to serve everyone and opened our doors as Charlotte Memorial Hospital,” said Atrium Health President and CEO Gene Woods. “Now, nearly 80 years later, our doors remain open, and we’ve helped our community thrive. As we have maintained our mission to serve all, we have also evolved. Our new name reflects our organization today and where we are going in the future to make a greater impact for the people we will serve.”

With nearly 12 million patient encounters each year, or one every three seconds, Atrium Health is positioned better than ever to reach the communities and rural areas that often lack access to services. Atrium Health will lead in critical areas such as population health, primary care, behavioral health and virtual care, while improving access to world-class specialty care such as cancer, pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, neurology and orthopedics.

The new name, Atrium Health, captures the essence of the organization and was selected for its meaning: a place filled with light; a gathering ground where diverse thinkers come together and connections are made; and, literally, the chamber of the heart where each and every heartbeat begins.

The revised branding that accompanies the new name retains several familiar elements that were part of the Carolinas HealthCare System brand. The teal color remains, along with an updated “Tree of Life” icon, which has always held special meaning for the healthcare system and is one of the most recognizable logo marks in the region.

“While we continue to evolve as an organization, we will always hold true to our roots,” Woods said. “Our Tree of Life is strong and our mission to provide care for all will not change. Atrium Health will allow the organization to grow and impact as many lives as possible and deliver solutions that will help even more communities thrive.”

While full implementation of the new name will take nearly two years, changes to the signage at hospital and care locations will begin at the end of this year and into early next year. As a first step, the organization introduced the Atrium Health name to more than 65,000 employees on Wednesday, including more than 3,000 physicians and 16,000 nurses and other care providers. Temporary signage will begin to appear at care locations, and advertisements will immediately begin to carry the new name to help ensure patients and local communities know about the name change. Patients will also see updates on their statements and wellness education materials over the next several months.

While the system name may change, the heart of who they are will remain the same, and patients will continue to receive the compassionate and world-class care they have come to expect.

For more information about Atrium Health, please view our Media Resources page or read our story on the Daily Dose.

About Atrium Health
Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout the Southeast region. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and well-being of its communities through high-quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

SOURCE: Atrium Health