For Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), returning sick people to good health is more than a business -- it's a mission. Formed in 1996 through the merger of three Catholic hospital systems, the giant not-for-profit organization is one of the largest Catholic hospital operators in the US. It covers more than 90 sites including hospitals and clinics as well as long-term care, assisted-living, and senior residential facilities in about 20 states from Washington to Maryland. Its hospitals range from large urban medical centers (many with educational and research programs) to small hospitals in rural areas. All told, CHI has more than 14,000 acute-care beds. It is sponsored by a dozen different congregations of nuns.