Title
Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Nazareth Hospital.
Body
WHEREAS, The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth was founded in Rome in 1875 by Frances Siedliska, Blessed Mother Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd. In 1885, Mother Mary and ten other Sisters came to the United States to promote their mission to families through education and health care; and
WHEREAS, The Sisters saw the need for a hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and in 1934 they began sending members of the congregation to hospitals throughout the country to train to provide health care. On March 9, 1940, Nazareth Hospital was opened with a bed capacity of 116 at a cost of $800,000. This was financed solely by the Sisters, their families and friends. Nazareth Hospital was the only hospital planned and built during the Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, During the 1950's, the population grew in Northeast Philadelphia -- once mostly farmlands. The Hospital's facilities were expanded in 1952 with the construction of a new building to house the convent, chapel and pharmacy. This increased the bed capacity by 60; and
WHEREAS, In December, 1959, with the awarding of a Hill-Burton grant combined with the funds raised by the hospital's friends, a 200-bed addition (the St. Joseph's Building), plus new medical and surgical facilities, became a reality in 1963. Space was allocated at this time for the expansion of existing ancillary services. At the completion of this building, the original building (now called the Marian Pavilion) was completely renovated and re-opened in January of 1967. In November, 1977, a 32-bed Special Care Unit was opened on the third floor of the St. Joseph Building to provide coronary, intensive and respiratory care to critically ill or injured patients; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980's, Nazareth Hospital began to offer home health services. In March of 1986, ground was broken ...
Click here for full text