Sisters Of Providence Health System history

With support from Father Louis Rossi, who tirelessly appealed to members of the territorial government over the course of eight days, this organization was officially incorporated in the Territory of Washington on March 19, 1859.

The sisters' early efforts included the formation of a hospital for the mentally ill in Vancouver in 1861.

By April 1873, St Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, was formed.

The first Holyoke House of Providence, circa 1875.

Four hospitals opened their doors during the following decade, beginning with St Mary Hospital (Walla Walla, Washington) in 1880.

Sacred Heart Hospital (Spokane, Washington) followed in 1886, along with the sisters' first western Canadian facility, St Mary Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia.

An important development occurred on the organizational front when the sisters formed seven administrative provinces on March 29, 1891.

The 30 remaining Sisters became the nucleus of our new community and on August 17, 1892 a provisional government was established with Sister Mary of Providence—now Mother Mary of Providence—principal of St Jerome’s School, as our first major superior.

Finally, Colfax, Washington-based St Ignatius Hospital, which eventually became known as Whitman Community Hospital, opened its doors in April 1893.

St Paul’s began as a 25-bed compassionate care hospital in 1894, named after both then-Bishop Paul Durieu, OMI, of New Westminster and Saint Paul.

The Sisters of Providence began a new century on a high note when the Vatican granted approval of their constitutions in 1900, bolstering their efforts to develop new ministries.

1904 – A surge in Vancouver’s growth brought on by the Klondike gold rush allows for the first of many expansions, with the addition of 50 more beds.

1906 – St Paul’s becomes one of the first hospitals to have its own X-ray machine.

Advancements in medical science occurred against the backdrop of standardization, which rose in importance with the formation of the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) in 1913.

1931 – The North Wing is completed.

Their commitment to education resulted in the establishment of the College of Great Falls in 1932.

In 1941 the Sisters of Providence established what was, for its time, a truly progressive facility called the St Peter Claver Interracial Center, which offered cultural programs for Seattle's Asian American and African American populations.

1951 ground breaking for new St Vincent Hospital.

Midway through the decade, their commitment to education was reflected in the establishment of Burbank, California-based Providence High School in 1955.

In 1967, the sisters transferred ownership of Vancouver-based St Joseph Hospital to a community group.

Starting with William Connolly, who was hired to serve as administrator of Providence Hospital, Portland, on November 20, 1969, the sisters would begin relying on lay executives more and more in the coming decades.

The sisters sold Astoria, Oregon-based St Mary Hospital in April 1970, concluding 90 years of ownership.

In addition, Seattle-based Providence Hospitality House—a safe haven for children and women in need of emergency shelter—opened its doors in the fall of 1979.

Following the Sacred Heart Province's sponsorship of Seaside General Hospital in 1983, the sisters added Toppenish, Washington-based Central Memorial Hospital (Providence Toppenish Hospital) to their organization two years later.

The establishment of Providence Milwaukie Hospital was made possible in July 1986, when Milwaukie, Oregon-based Dwyer Community Hospital also was made part of the organization.

These included the establishment of a holding company called Providence Services in 1992, which encompassed the sisters' healthcare, social service, and educational ministries within their St Ignatius Province.

Sisters process into Mother House chapel at Chapter 1993.

The sale of organization's largest medical group followed in 1999.

According to the March 6, 2000, issue of Modern Healthcare, the result was "a separate, jointly owned company to consolidate administrative tasks and develop new community healthcare services.

"Providence Systems Exploring Merger," AHA News, October 3, 2005.

Lent, Christina, "St Vincent Medical Center Celebrates 'Healing Space,'" Beaverton Valley Times, May 10, 2007.

Mary’s Meadow at Providence Place opened in 2009.