About Us

Established in 1999, Ascension St. Mary’s PHO is a joint venture between 3 Ascension affiliated hospitals; St. Mary’s of Saginaw, St. Mary’s of Standish, and St. Joseph Health System in Tawas and East Michigan Physicians Organization (EMPO) which represents the physician clinical arm of the PHO. Within the PHO are employed and aligned independent physicians who participate in joint hospital and physician contracting; and align economic incentives for improvements in cost, quality, and efficiency by establishing common care delivery models and shared information infrastructure.

Making a Difference

3 hospitals

Governance Structure

Ascension St. Mary’s PHO is represented by organizational leaders comprised of physician and hospital representatives. Listed below are the guiding committees which provide oversight to PHO operations.

Board of Managers
Credentialing Committee
Finance and Contracting Committee
Financial Oversight Committee
Performance Oversight Committee
East Michigan Physician Organization (EMPO) Board of Managers

Patrick Botz, DO

President & Medical Director, Ascension St. Mary’s PHO

President, East Michigan Physician Organization (EMPO)

Brent Boggess, MD

Medical Director, Ascension St. Mary’s PHO

Representative, East Michigan Physician Organization Physician (EMPO)

Elizabeth Marshall, MD

Associate Medical Director, Ascension St. Mary’s PHO

Member, Ascension St. Mary’s PHO Credentialing Committee

Mission Statement

The mission of Ascension St. Mary’s Physician Hospital Organization is to deliver excellence in patient-centered care for our patients that reflects our faith-based values, is high-quality and cost effective. We will deliver innovative care delivery solutions across the continuum of care. We are stewards of sound fiscal responsibility and develop capabilities to take and manage financial and performance risk for covered populations.