On March 15, 1864, the first patients treated at Saint John Hospital were a family of Civil War refugees. The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth took the family in and cared for them even though the hospital wasn’t yet ready to open. Fast forward to 2014 and Saint John’s staff has been proudly celebrating its 150 year legacy of healing with a series of celebrations.
March:
- A float commemorating Saint John’s history in Leavenworth St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Kick-off Reception for construction of new Emergency Room (ER) at Saint John Medical Plaza
May:
- Hospital Week Picnic with “guests from the past and future”
August:
- Saint John Day and picnic at the Kansas City T-Bones
November:
- Float in Leavenworth Veterans Day Parade
- Founder’s Day Reception with a commemorative 150 ornament
- Unveiling of 150th Celebration commissioned artwork to be hung in new ER
Spring 2015:
- Completion of new ER
Prime Healthcare, which purchased the hospital from the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System in 2013, has been supportive of the tradition the Sisters began 150 years ago. “We’ve had a great celebration this year. Not many hospitals can say they have been open since the Civil War,” says Jodi Fincher, Saint John’s Chief Nursing Officer/On-site Administrator. “Prime’s commitment to provide quality healthcare for the community matches the legacy the Sisters’ gave us and takes it even a step further.”
“We are excited that Prime has invested $4 million in our new ER,” continues Fincher. “Our experienced staff will still offer individualized patient care, but it will be in a state-of-the-art facility that is much more accessible for our patients and EMS.” The new ER is scheduled to be completed in February or March 2015. “The hospital’s foundress, Mother Xavier Ross, had a famous saying: “Look forward to the good that is yet to be,” Fincher says. “When the new ER is open, we plan to celebrate the beginning of the next 150 years with a ribbon cutting for the community.”