About Us

Providence Saint John’s Health Center has been serving the Santa Monica and westside Los Angeles county communities since 1942, and since that time has earned a reputation for clinical excellence and award-winning care in a compassionate and tranquil healing environment.

Today, Providence Saint John’s is a nationally renowned 266-bed hospital with physicians, nurses, volunteers and support staff who work as a team to provide the best possible medical care to its patients and the community. Providence Saint John’s provides the latest in diagnostic technology and specialty care with a strong commitment to its core service lines: heart and vascular care, oncology, orthopedics and women’s health. Saint John’s also is home to the world-renowned Saint John’s Cancer Institute, dedicated to clinical research and medical advancements in cancer care.

Providence Saint John’s reputation for academically-based care guided by research and evidence-based medicine is due to the commitment to excellence by our physicians, nurses and caregivers. Our cancer surgeons care for patients in the Cancer Center and hold faculty positions at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute and other teaching institutions in the community. Nearly every core service line at Providence Saint John’s participates in research or clinical trials.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who in 2014 passed its sponsorship to Providence Health & Services, Providence Saint John’s is rooted in the Catholic health care tradition, which is devoted to providing leading-edge medicine with unwavering compassion and personalized care. In line with both its Catholic Mission and its responsibilities as a non-profit health care provider, Providence Saint John’s seeks to create healthier communities by investing in community benefit programs, with an emphasis on the poor and vulnerable. 

Through the dedication and collaborative efforts of the community, friends, patrons, physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers, Providence Saint John’s continues its world-class tradition established more than 70 years ago by providing breakthrough medicine in an environment of inspired healing.

Providence Saint John's Health Center is committed providing compassionate, reliable and safe care. That’s why we continually implement quality initiatives that ensure our patients receive the absolute best care.

The Caritas Suites at Providence Saint John’s Health Center are premier patient care rooms that complement the expert, highly qualified, compassionate medical and nursing care our patients experience every day. The nursing staff has extensive training in all medical and surgical nursing areas. Many Caritas nurses have advanced nursing certifications and specialty training. Additionally, all patients have access to the world-renowned physicians for which Providence Saint John’s is known.

The Suites offer elegant, private patient rooms and personalized concierge service. Beautiful views, natural light, wood finishes and soothing artwork create a serene atmosphere aiding in the healing process.

Amenities

  • Private, secure unit
  • Larger rooms
  • Concierge-style service
  • Peaceful, serene, private environment
  • for healing
  • Beautiful views
  • Fine linens and towels
  • Slippers and robes
  • Fine soap and skin care products
  • Upgraded menu for your personal selection
  • Personal, in-room refrigerator
  • Alcove with office space for family members
  • Wireless access
  • Large screen LCD TVs
  • Clock radio with iPod dock
  • Coffee maker (coffee, tea and hot chocolate)
  • Daily newspaper
  • Two valet parking passes per day

Arranging your stay at the Caritas Suites

If you are interested in staying in the Caritas Suites during your hospitalization, call 310-829-8067 for information on pricing and availability. Please keep in mind the cost to upgrade your room will not be covered by insurance. Cost: $750 / upgraded amenities package per day.

Become a member of the Gold Card Program to receive discounts when you upgrade to the Caritas Suites.

For more information about the Caritas Suites, please call 310-829-8067.

Benefits for those living in poverty

As stated in the Mission of Providence Saint John's Health Center, "As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable,” it highlights the organization’s commitment to serving those most in need. The majority of the community benefits provided by Providence Saint John’s (including goods, services and financial resources) are focused on those living in poverty in our community.

Our community is fortunate to have many outstanding organizations and agencies delivering vital services for those living in poverty. The People Concern, Saint Joseph Center, Venice Family Clinic, and Westside Family Health Center are just a few examples of these partners. Providence Saint John's commitment to care for the poor and underserved includes partnerships with dedicated organizations such as these.

Our care of those living in poverty is built on yet another essential partnership. The dedicated physicians who provide professional diagnostic and therapeutic services to the patients referred from area clinics. These physicians volunteer their time and professional skills, as Providence Saint John's provides the staff, resources and facilities to offer these services at no charge to those patients living in poverty.

Benefits for the broader community

Providence Saint John's Health Center has been fortunate to collaborate with many extraordinary partners, such as the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), Venice Family Clinic and The People Concern to serve the needs of the community. Providence Saint John's supports SMMUSD's School Nurse Program in order to enhance the health status of our community's school age children. The Health Center works with The People Concern to address the needs of those who are homeless and living in the area. Through the partnership with Venice Family Clinic, those persons who are uninsured are able to get the medical care and help that they need.

Providence Saint John's is a major employer and a not-for-profit corporate citizen on the Westside. As such, we support community organizations such as Venice Family Clinic, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Westside Family Health Center, The People Concern, St. Joseph Center, Saint John's Child and Family Development Center, WISE & Healthy Aging, Step Up on Second, Upward Bound House, St. Anne's School, Pico Youth & Family Center, Meals on Wheels West, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica, Safe Place for Youth and the Westside Coalition

It was the height of World War II when Providence Saint John’s Health Center opened its doors in Santa Monica, a coastal city whose claim to fame was the legendary Muscle Beach.

The former Saint John’s Hospital was founded by the Catholic Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, a religious community of Catholic women deeply rooted in their dedication to health care, education, social services and pastoral ministry.

In 1939, the year war broke out in Europe, the Sisters brought their devotion and extensive healthcare experience to Santa Monica, and began raising money to build and administer a much-needed community hospital.

Construction on Saint John’s started in 1941. The project pulled together the entire community. Everyone, from the chief of surgery to the Sisters themselves, helped build, paint and even haul the furniture into the new hospital. One of the Sisters, Sister Hypatia, was a trained engineer who took it upon herself to study the construction blueprints daily. If something did not meet her high standards, she made the workers redo the work until she was satisfied.

Finally, Saint John’s opened its doors to patients on Oct. 25, 1942, nearly a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. To keep the hospital functioning in those early days during the wartime effort, everyone connected with Saint John’s had to take on new roles. The Sisters worked as nurses, X-ray technicians and medical technologists. In no time, all 89 beds and 35 bassinets in the new hospital were full.

At the same time the community was growing. The war brought a population surge as military personnel and workers came to Douglas Aircraft, working around-the-clock to build military aircraft. Following the war, the community saw a housing boom as the Baby Boom generation settled in. Two large employers – a Sears-Roebuck store and the Rand Corporation, opened in 1947.

In 1994, the hospital was severely damaged by the Northridge Earthquake. A newly rebuilt wing opened in 2009, funded by donors in the community. In the following years, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System found it difficult to continue operating a stand-alone health care ministry in Southern California and urged Providence Health & Services, with five hospitals in the region, to assume Saint John’s sponsorship. The change in sponsorship was finalized in March 2014.

Since its founding, Providence Saint John’s Health Center has developed a national reputation as an exceptional place for health and healing. Through the dedication and collaborative efforts of community friends, patrons, physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers, Providence Saint John’s has continued the world-class tradition established by the Sisters of providing breakthrough medicine in an environment of inspired healing.

Providence Saint John’s Health Center - Leadership Team

  • Michael Ricks, Chief Executive
  • Jared Amerson, Chief Operating Officer
  • John Goeders, Chief Financial Officer
  • Mina Kang, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
  • Carol Nishikubo, M.D., President, Executive Committee of Medical Staff
  • Stephanie Nolan, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer
  • Paul Makarewicz, Chief Mission Officer
  • Laura Morton Rowe, Chief Human Resource Officer
  • Rhonda Hall, Chief Human Resources Officer, Coastal Service Area
  • Timothy Feil, Executive Director, Quality
  • Sheryl Bourgeois, Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Sajid Sindha, executive director, Strategy and Business Development

Providence Saint John’s Health Center - Local Board of Directors

Ex-officio

  • Laureen Driscoll, CA Region Chief Executive
  • Gretchen Willison, Chair SJHC Foundation
  • Les Kaplan, MD, PSJHC Medical Staff President

Physicians

  • Anton Bilchik, MD
  • Victor Candioty, MD
  • Howard Chait, MD
  • David Khosla, MD
  • Eileen McGrath, MD
  • Timothy Wilson, MD

Community

  • Kristin McCowan
  • Kathryn Jeffery, PhD
  • Laura K. Siart, Chair
  • J. David Tracy, Treasurer

Foundation

  • Mary Flaherty
  • Bob Levitt, Secretary
  • Ernie Prudente, M.D.
  • Justin Rawlins
  • Donna L. Schweers
  • Brian Webber
  • Roger Wacker

Contact information:
Providence Saint John's Health Center, Administration
2121 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, California 90404
Telephone: 310-829-5511


Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Board of Trustees

Roger Wacker, Chair
Robert Amonic, MD, Secretary
Craig C. Benell, Treasurer
Charles F. Adams
William S. Anderson
William M. Apfelbaum
Rae W. Archibald, PhD
Margot S. Armbruster
J. Jeffrey Assaf
Lee A. Ault III
Donnalisa Parks Barnum
Ambassador Frank E. Baxter
Rudolph A. Bedford MD
James P. Birdwell, Jr.
Norris J. Bishton
Eric Borstein
John C. Bowlin
Abbott L. Brown
Jules Buenabenta
Charles G. Cale
Rick J. Caruso
Alex M. Chaves
Scott Cohen
Jonathan R. Cole MD
Jonathan L. Congdon
Cynthia S. Connolly
Richard F. Corlin MD
Angela Courtin
Marian H. Craver
Michael W. Croft
Richard R. Crowell
Kathy Danhakl
George H. Davis, Jr.
Mary Y. Davis
Kevin Ehrhart MD
Marc Ezralow
Miles Fisher
Mary H. Flaherty
Frances R. Flanagan
James H. Fordyce
Bradford M. Freeman
William M. Garland III
Risa L. Gertner
Kris Gibello
Allan B. Goldman
Jae Goodman
Glenn A. Gorlitsky MD
Steve Gozini
Thomas F. Grojean
Michael Hackman
Peter V. Haight
David L. Ho
Marcia Wilson Hobbs
Tonian Hohberg
Mark C. Holscher
John G. Huarte
Stanley Iezman
Blake Johnson
Steaven K. Jones, Jr.
Paul R. Kanin
Mary Ellen Kanoff
Jordan L. Kaplan
Russ Kino, MD
Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan
Bernadette Leiweke
Robert J. Levitt
Judith D. Licklider
Robert J. Lowe
Carl W. McKinzie
Bruce A. Meyer
Carolyn B. Minchin
Peter W. Mullin
Paul D. Natterson MD
Lee S. Neibart
Lisa D. Nesbitt
Chris Newman
Shelby Notkin
Dominic J. Ornato
Peter C.D. Pelikan MD
Putter Pence
Jill Posnick
Dallas P. Price-Van Breda
Ernie L. Prudente MD
Justin E. Rawlins
John M. Robertson MD
Jeanne D. Robinson
Theodore H. Schneider
Carole Schwartz
Donna L. Schweers
Robert Shuwarger
Laura Siart
William E. Simon, Jr.
Cary Singleton
Rosa K. Sinnott
Loraine Sinskey
Michael S. Sitrick
Charles F. Smith
Brent Stratton
Nadine E. Tilley
James J. Toth II
J. David Tracy
Donna F. Tuttle
Bennet Van de Bunt
Patrick J. Wayne
Brian M. Webber
Edward White
Shannon M. Wickstrom
Gretchen A. Willison
Michael E. Wise
Brett G. Wyard

Emeritus
Waldo H. Burnside
Robert T. Campion *
A. Redmond Doms *
J. Howard Edgerton *
Jerry B. Epstein *
James L. Hesburgh
Mrs. Earle M. Jorgensen *
Glen McDaniel *
Ruben F. Mettler, PhD *
John H. Michel *
Sister Marie Madeleine Shonka, SCL
Flora L. Thornton *

* Deceased

Life
Sister Maureen Craig, SCL
Robert A. Day
Richard M. Ferry
Ambassador Glen Holden 
William P. Rutledge
Robert J. Wagner

Ex-Officio
Carol Nishikubo, MD, President, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, PSJHC
Sheryl Bourgeois, President & CEO, SJHCF
Michael Ricks, Chief Executive, PSJHC
Stephanie Weston, President, Irene Dunne Guild
John F. Goeders, CFO, PSJHC

Patient care and safety

We know you come to Providence because you trust the care we provide. We want you to know our mission for your good health and safety is a top priority. Joint Commission standards deal with organizational quality of care issues and patient safety and the safety of the environment in which care is provided. Any individual believing that he or she has concerns regarding patient safety or quality of care concerns at Providence Health & Services that the hospital has not addressed appropriately may contact The Joint Commission.

If your issue remains unresolved, you have the right to:

  • Contact the Joint Commission Office:
    • Submit a concern online at www.jointcommission.org and click on “Report a Safety Event”
    • Fax to: (630) 792-5636
    • Mail to: The Joint Commission Office of Quality and Patient Safety, One Renaissance Blvd, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
  • Contact the California Dept of Public Health (CDPH)
    • Mail to: 3400 Aerojet Ave, Suite 323, El Monte, CA 91731
    • Phone: (800) 228-1019
    • Fax: (626) 927-9293

When submitting a complaint to the Joint Commission about an accredited organization, you may either provide your name and contact information or submit your complaint anonymously. Providing your name and contact information enables the Joint Commission to inform you about the actions taken in response to your complaint, and also to contact you should additional information be needed. It is the Joint Commission's policy to treat your name as confidential information and not to disclose it to any other party. However, it may be necessary to share the complaint with Providence Health & Services in the course of a complaint investigation.

Joint Commission policy forbids an accredited organization from taking retaliatory actions against employees for having reported a patient safety or quality of care concern to the Joint Commission.

Please note: The Joint Commission does not address individual billing issues and payment disputes. It also does not have jurisdiction in labor relations issues or the individual clinical management of a patient.