Caring for Oregon Since 1875

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 has a long history of serving Oregon, beginning when the Sisters of Providence established the state’s first hospital, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, in Portland in 1875. There the Sisters provided care to elderly men and women, orphaned children and the sick, regardless of their ability to pay. Providence Hospital (now Providence Portland Medical Center) was founded in 1941 to join St. Vincent in serving the people of Portland, marking the only time the Sisters opened two hospitals in the same city.

Outside of Portland, the Sisters founded Sacred Heart Hospital in 1911 (now Providence Medford Medical Center). In 1945, Our Lady of Providence Nursery (now Providence Child Center) opened to care for orphaned infants after ownership was transferred from the Sisters of Mercy.

Adding Providence Newberg Medical Center in 1979 began a new era of growth through collaboration between Providence and local communities, followed by Providence Seaside Hospital in 1981, Providence Milwaukie Hospital in 1986, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in 1999 and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in 2009.

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.