In his modest office where venetian blinds are set against the searing December sun, Pére Vital Médé and members of his administrative team welcome two American nuns. The women have traveled from Philadelphia to hand deliver the first installment of a gift from Catholic Health East to Hospital St. Francis de Sales.

With the economic downturn forcing many people out of their jobs and health insurance plans, many experts say the need for health reform is becoming more urgent.

If Helene Gruber had never been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's quite possible that St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Edgewood, Ky., might never have become the first hospital in the country to introduce a line of foods made especially for cancer patients.

A new initiative from Ascension Health aims to grow new businesses in Flint, Mich., by cultivating relationships not with people at the top of the socioeconomic ladder, but instead with those near the bottom rungs.

During the Easter season, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change plans to unveil a "Catholic Climate Covenant," an initiative to make U.S. Catholics more aware of what they can do to stem climate change and its effects.

Ministry members can educate patients, staff and others about the importance of advance directives by participating in the second annual National Healthcare Decisions Day.

After nearly a year of discussion, Catholic Healthcare West has taken a stand against foods produced with genetically engineered sugar, as well as meat and dairy from cloned animals, its leaders say.

After surviving last June's record-setting flood, officials at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are the first to acknowledge that 2008 was a challenging year.

The winter doldrums have kicked in. It's too cold to venture outside in much of the country. And the next major holiday is months away.