St. Luke's University Health Network

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Legal

1. Who can sign contracts on behalf of the Network or its affiliates?

The department reviews contracts across the Network. We recognize that you expect a timely and sometimes accelerated response to your contract request. In order to coordinate these requests and ensure proper handling, it is imperative that only those authorized to sign contracts do so. The following persons are authorized to sign contracts and agreements binding St. Luke's Health Network, Inc., Saint Luke's Hospital of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania d/b/a St. Luke's University Health Network and/or each of their affiliates and subsidiaries:

  • Richard A. Anderson, President & Chief Executive Officer
  • Tom P. Lichtenwalner, Senior Vice President, Finance
  • Robert L. Wax, Esq., Senior Vice President & General Counsel

In addition, Dean W. Evans, President of St. Luke's Physician Group, Inc., is authorized to execute contracts on behalf of St. Luke's Physician Group, Inc., and Network purchasing agents have authority to execute certain purchase orders and purchase agreements on behalf of the Network.

2. Should I send contracts directly to the legal department?

It depends. Any contract for goods or services, including a purchase of equipment, medical disposables, supplies and dietary goods, should first be sent to the Purchasing Department. If the Purchasing Department believes legal review is required, it will send the contract to the Legal Services Department. In addition, the following types of agreements should be processed as described below before being sent to the Legal Services Department:

  • Software Licensing/Products/Services - to Chad Brisendine for approval
  • Accreditation - to Susan York for processing
  • Clinical and Non-Clinical Educational Affiliations - to Manny Changalis
  • Clinical Studies and Related Confidentiality Agreements - to Manny Changalis
  • Staffing Services/Independent Contract requests - to Barb Flandorffer
  • Real Estate - James Reyes
  • Use of Facilities Agreements should be processed by Kate Raymond in Bethlehem, Donna Field in Allentown, Diane Snyder at Quakertown, Bill Moyer at Miners

3. What do I do if I receive an inquiry from a government agency?

From time to time, the Network receives inquiries for information or requests for site visits from government regulatory and investigative agencies. It is important that the Legal Services Department be notified immediately when these events arise. The Legal Services Department will determine whether the request or visit is legally valid, coordinate the Network's response, and notify appropriate senior officers. Please remember to always refer all attorneys representing regulatory authorities to the Legal Services Department.

4. What do I do if someone tries to serve a summons, subpoena or other legal notice?

Official legal documents are sometimes mailed to various places across the Network. Should you receive a legal document, it should be forwarded immediately to the Legal Services Department for processing. Examples of legal documents that should be forwarded include subpoenas requiring the Network to produce copies of records in court proceedings, summonses notifying the Network that a lawsuit has been commenced against it, notices of bankruptcy and notices informing the Network of its right to participate in consumer class action suits.

Whenever a "process server" attempts to hand-deliver an official legal document to a Network employee, you should inform the process server that you do not have authority to accept service of the document and that the document should be taken instead to the Legal Services Department. The Legal Services Department will determine whether it can be accepted by the Network. The Legal Services Department should be notified immediately to confirm acceptance and to follow up with the appropriate security personnel who will accept service on the Network's behalf, if appropriate.

Government

1. What if I am asked to have the Network or its affiliates contribute to a political candidate's campaign?

As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. As an individual, you are certainly welcome to support political candidates of your choosing.

2. What is legislative advocacy? Why is it important to the Network?

Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence the introduction, enactment or modification of legislation. It involves educating legislators, communicating strategies, and tracking legislation shaping health care policy. The most common means of legislative advocacy is direct lobbying, which entails contacting a legislator and sharing views on an issue, and asking him or her to vote a specific way on a bill. This can be accomplished through a phone call or letter, or by a formal meeting with the legislator or his/her staff. Legislative advocacy is important to St. Luke's since it influences health care policy that directly impacts the Network.

3. What should I do if I am approached by my association to contact a legislator regarding pending legislation?

From time to time associations, like HAP, will ask you to support a specific issue. Before contacting a legislator, please contact Jane George in Government Relations for guidance and assistance.

4. What do I do if I have a question about a legislative bill?

Government Relations has a significant number of resources to assist you in understanding pending legislation. Please contact Jane George for guidance and assistance.

5. Can I call a legislator directly about a question or problem?

Before contacting a legislator directly regarding a Network related matter, please speak with a representative from our Government Relations.