SOUTH BEND – Beacon Health System is the new name for the parent structure combining Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend.

The naming process involved input from board members from Elkhart and Memorial and took six months to complete. The two organizations officially affiliated Nov. 23, 2011.

The names of the two hospitals will remain the same in order to honor the well-respected and recognizable legacy brands of both Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend.

“Elkhart General and Memorial share a successful history of partnering on clinical and administrative projects that have benefited both organizations and their respective communities,” said Beacon Health Chairman Don Krabil.

“Nearly 1,000 highly-skilled, well-trained physicians serve on the medical staff at Elkhart General and Memorial Hospital combined. This shared medical expertise will enable us to attract even more specialized clinicians to the area and produce the region’s highest quality of care,” said Philip A. Newbold, CEO for Beacon Health.