In recent years, many leading hospitals around the country, including Mercy, have added hospitalists to their care teams. These physicians are specially trained to manage the challenges of hospital inpatients and all are able to assume reponsibility for patients while they are in the hospital. At the request of your primary physician, a hospitalist will take over and coordinate your care when you are in the hospital and keep your primary physician informed about your progress. He/she will return you to the care of your primary physician when you leave the hopsital. Hospitalists also care for patients who may not have a primary care provider when they are admitted to the hospital. Mercy's hospitalists work alongside physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals.