Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare announced today that its hospitals, clinics and services in Iowa will join the Mercy Health Network. The proposed transfer of facilities includes Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls and Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein. The transition in Iowa, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, is planned to occur in conjunction with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters’ transfer of their other health care and housing ministries. “The potential of joining Mercy Health Network allows us to maintain our high-quality and compassionate patient care and continue making investments in the communities we serve,” said Jack Dusenbery, president of Wheaton’s Iowa region. Based in West Des Moines, Mercy Health Network currently includes 12 owned hospitals and medical centers, 27 affiliated community hospitals and 151 physician clinics.