CHA Health Systems history

The first CHA convention in late June 1915 had 200 attendees—sisters, lay nurses, and lay doctors, representing 43 hospitals from 12 states.

Mother Esperance was elected as second vice president of CHA in 1916 at the second annual convention.

In 1917, she was named the first superior of Trinity Hospital, Jamestown, ND, transforming the institution from a private hospital into a Catholic one.

1, 1921, when the first officers of the Association were elected.

The first committees organized were Membership, Auditing, Legislation, Constitution and Rules, Convention, and School of Nurses. (It wasn’t until 1949 that someone discovered the articles of incorporation for the Association had never been filed with the Colorado Secretary of State.

In 1953, CHA announced the formation of a regional hospital council in the northeastern area of the state, which later led to similar regional councils in other parts of Colorado.

In 1957, the CHA Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a full-time secretary and support staff, as well as renting office space for the exclusive use of the Association.

Not until 1970 would CHA have a woman religious as its chief executive officer when the board of trustees appointed Sr.

The original title of executive secretary was changed to executive director in July 1971.

In June 1984, CHA president and chief executive officer Arvid Brekke resigned after 12 years of leadership.

In April 1994, CHA purchased Hospital Insurance Trust Services, Inc., which has since been renamed CHA Shared Services and operates as a for-profit subsidiary offering insurance, financial and consulting services.

CHA formed in 1996 when two Massachusetts hospitals - Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital - joined together to better meet the needs of patients and fulfill a shared community health mission.

1, 1999 to accommodate for expected staff growth in the coming years.

In 2001, CHA acquired the former Whidden Memorial Hospital (now CHA Everett Hospital) and associated services in Malden and Revere.

Monday, July 19, 2004, marks the 90th anniversary of a gathering at which Catholic health ministry leaders came together to respond to technological advances that were changing health care delivery in the United States.

The CHA Board of Trustees appointed Steven Summer as President and Chief Executive Officer in the fall of 2006.

After 13 years of service, Summer retired as President and CEO in December of 2019.

In March 2020, the first Sars-CoV-2 case was identified in Colorado, starting the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

CHA Cambridge Hospital was named one of the best maternity hospitals in the nation by Newsweek Magazine for 2021.