Ascension is the biggest nonprofit healthcare system in the US.

Ascension is one of the largest private healthcare systems in the United States, ranking second in the United States by number of hospitals as of 2019. It was founded as a nonprofit Catholic system and describes itself as "the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system." The system operates 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care.

Ascension includes approximately 160,000 associates and 34,000 aligned providers. The health system has annual revenues of $25 billion and assets of $36 billion. Ascension's Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 150,000 associates serving in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The health system provided $2 billion in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2017. Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable

Ascension was created with the belief that healthcare is best delivered by caregivers who are motivated solely by the needs of their patients. Today, through a variety of industries and businesses, from hospitals and home health agencies to physician offices and urgent care centers – we meet each person's needs with a holistic approach. That focus on care-giving continues in every interaction with our patients and customers — at every moment. In addition to being a leading healthcare system, Ascension is also one of the world's largest faith-based providers of healthcare; find out more about how it compares to other providers on the 2019 Ranking of Top 25 Largest Healthcare Companies infographic.