About Us

History and Heritage

Providence St. Joseph Health was formed by the journeys of several communities of women religious who founded many of our institutions. These congregations include the Dominicans, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, and the Little Company of Mary. Two congregations in particular – the Sisters of Providence and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange – continue to have a major role in the health system today. Here are highlights of these two foundational journeys that began our tradition of caring.

Sisters of Providence

Founded by Blessed Emilie Gamelin in Montreal, the Sisters of Providence were led by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart to Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, in 1856, to answer a call for help from a new pioneer community. Through their courage and determination, they established the Northwest’s first schools, hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions of care. The Sisters incorporated their works of charity in 1859. Over the years, the Sisters of Providence continued to touch lives where relief, comfort and care were needed and made countless contributions to education, health care, and the social services.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

Founded in 1650 in Le Puy, France, the Sisters of St. Joseph were invited by the Bishop of Sacramento and led by Mother Bernard Gosselin to Eureka, California, in 1912. They first established a Catholic school, but were soon called upon to expand their services into health care especially following the 1918 flu pandemic. Having opened their first hospital in 1920 in Eureka, the congregation relocated the Mother House to Orange, California, in 1922. Over the years that followed, the ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange expanded across California and Texas to include eight independent hospitals, eventually forming a health system in 1981.

The Mission Leadership Institute

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a reimagination of our current models of health care and intensified the focus on health equity for those who are poor and vulnerable, while bringing with it a cadre of additional and complex leadership challenges. Successful leadership in this age of health care requires a renewed leadership focus on mission, purpose and vision, along with updated strengths and skills to best advance the healing ministry of Jesus. In response to these challenges, Providence is preparing leaders in new ways, beginning with a commitment to individual purpose, self-discovery, and integration.