How We Began

Providence was formed by the journeys of courageous Catholic Sisters who sought to meet the needs of the communities they served. Two congregations in particular – the Sisters of Providence and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange – had major roles in establishing and guiding the health system Providence is today. Providence serves Alaska, Northern California, Southern California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Here are highlights of these two foundational journeys that began our tradition of caring.

Sisters of Providence

In 1856, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart and four other Sisters of Providence arrived in Vancouver, in what was then the Washington Territory, to answer a call for help from a new pioneer community. The Sisters responded, always keeping in mind the needs of those who were poor and vulnerable. Through their courage and determination, they established the first schools, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions of care.

The Sisters incorporated their works of charity in 1859. In just 25 short years, they established 30 hospitals, schools and homes for orphans, the elderly and the sick to service people across the West.

Over the years, the Sisters of Providence continued to touch lives where relief, comfort and care were needed and made countless contributions to education, healthcare and social services. They established many of the Northwest’s first permanent hospitals and schools. Honoring the legacy of Mother Joseph, her bronze statue sits in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. as Washington State’s second representative.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

In 1912, Mother Bernard Gosselin, six Sisters and one postulant from the Sisters of St. Joseph from LaGrange, Illinois, landed on the rugged shores of Eureka, California. The Sisters had been invited by the bishop of Sacramento to provide education and healthcare to this secluded logging community. In less than two months, they opened a school with 60 students.

The congregation expanded across California and in 1922 relocated the Mother House to Orange. Having opened their first hospital in 1920 in Eureka, the Sisters opened another in 1929 in Orange, compelled to establish this hospital after Dr. Herbert Johnson, a noteworthy surgeon in Anaheim, appealed to them for the need of a modern hospital to serve the booming region. In time, the Sisters were operating eight independent hospitals from Northern California and the California High Desert to Southern California and West Texas, eventually forming a health system in 1981.

Continuing the Journey of Compassionate Care

Together with the congregations of Sisters, our Providence founders include the Methodist Brothers in Texas (Covenant Health), Dr. Nils Johanson (Swedish Health Services) and Lt. Col. Harry R. Kadlec (Kadlec). Today, Providence continues the journey of these pioneers as we reimagine the future of healthcare delivery for all ages and populations. We have been pioneering healthcare for hundreds of years and have a history of responding with compassion and innovation during challenging healthcare environments. At the core of our family of organizations is the enduring commitment to our Mission to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, and to fulfilling our vision of Health for a Better World.