Caring for Southern California Since 1929

Providence was formed by the journeys of courageous Catholic Sisters who sought to meet the needs of the communities they served. These communities of women religious which began our tradition of caring include the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sisters of the Holy Cross. 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.

Caretakers of Orange County

In 1912, a group of the Sisters of St. Joseph relocated from Illinois to Eureka, Calif., to establish a Catholic school at the invitation of the bishop of Sacramento. Mother Bernard Gosselin extended their services into healthcare — a vision propelled by the flu pandemic, which hit Eureka in 1918. After serving Northern California, the Sisters expanded into Southern California, relocating their motherhouse to Orange and becoming the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.

After opening St. Joseph Hospital in Orange in 1929, the Sisters purchased Fullerton General Hospital in 1931, which was transformed and reopened in 1957 as St. Jude Hospital. In 1994, the Sisters added Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo to their ministry, and later expanded to include a Laguna Beach campus.

Championing health in Los Angeles County

Healthcare in Los Angeles County was shaped by several local leaders and communities of women religious – including the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Sisters of the Holy Cross and Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth – who established hospitals throughout the region to serve the growing needs of the area.

The Sisters of Providence came to Los Angeles County in 1942, after two doctors requested the church’s help opening a hospital in the region. In 1944, the Sisters of Providence opened St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank (now Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Burbank).

Around the same time, hospitals were being established across the region to serve the needs of the community. In 1960, the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary opened Little Company of Mary Torrance. Three decades later, in 1992, the Sisters of Little Company of Mary affiliated with San Pedro Community Hospital. In 1999, Sisters later entered into a co-sponsorship agreement with Providence to transfer ownership of the two South Bay hospitals.

On the Westside, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth opened Saint John’s Health Center in 1942. Providence later assumed sponsorship of the hospital in 2014.

In the San Fernando Valley, the Sisters of the Holy Cross opened Holy Cross Medical Center in 1961. Three decades later, in 1996, sponsorship was transferred to Providence.

In 1973, the community worked together to open Tarzana Medical Center. Providence acquired Tarzana Medical Center in 2008, and entered a joint venture with Cedars-Sinai in 2019 to establish Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

Continuing a Tradition of Caring for the High Desert

In 1956, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary established St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital, a 35-bed facility that was the High Desert’s first hospital. St. Mary’s sponsorship transferred to the Brothers of St. John of God in 1969, who further developed the hospital and increased bed capacity. Years later, in 1992, the Sisters of St. Joseph added St. Mary Hospital to their ministry to continue a tradition of caring for the High Desert community.

Growing To Meet the Needs of Southern California

Further growth occurred in 2016, when Providence Health & Services (founded by the Sisters of Providence) joined with St. Joseph Health to establish Providence St. Joseph Health. The health system combines the two systems to strengthen the Mission across seven Western states.

Today, Providence carries forward the legacy of these pioneers by reimagining the future of healthcare delivery and improving the health of individuals and communities across seven Western states. The Providence family of organizations remains rooted in its Mission to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, and committed to fulfilling its vision of Health for a Better World.