May 20, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: On Sunday, May 22, 2022, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s will celebrate 100 years of providing health-care services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital’s 100th anniversary marks a significant milestone for the Sisters of Mercy, and for Eastern Health’s hospital staff, physicians, and clients.” said David Diamond, President and CEO of Eastern Health. “Health care has undergone tremendous changes over the course of a century with the evolution of services, medicine and technology. Throughout this history, the Sisters of Mercy played an integral role in shaping how health-care services have been delivered in this province.”
First opened by the Sisters of Mercy on May 22, 1922, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital was shaped by their determination and ingenuity as well as by generations of employees with whom they worked and collaborated. Together, they pioneered many new programs and services such as hospital accreditation, pastoral care, social work, respiratory services, physiotherapy and rheumatology services, to name a few. They also embraced information technology, and new approaches in mental health care. In 1939, the St. Clare’s School of Nursing was established. In 1968, in affiliation Memorial University School of Medicine, St. Clare’s was recognized as a teaching hospital. In 1971, the first palliative care unit east of Montreal was created.
Today, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital continues to be an integral part of the provincial health-care system. Its offers a broad array of services, which are delivered and supported by almost 500 dedicated staff and health-care professionals.
“It is a privilege for me to give thanks on behalf of all Sisters of Mercy and our associates as we mark the 100th anniversary of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital,” says Congregational Leader, Sister Diane Smyth. “I speak with gratitude for all those who shared their gifts, talents, time, expertise and love to ensure that every aspect of human life was cared for – body, mind and spirit. For 100 years St. Clare’s has stood proud of its history and heritage and its standards of excellence.”
Eastern Health would like to thank the Sisters of Mercy and the many managers, medical professionals, employees and volunteers who contributed to the care delivered at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, and who, over the last 100 years, have made their mark and created an enduring legacy.
– 30-
About the Sisters of Mercy
The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy was founded in Dublin in 1831 and established a convent in St. John’s in 1842. The Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland is a congregation of women religious who live and minister in Canada and in Peru according to the spirit of Catherine McAuley, their foundress. Catherine’s gift of mercy shaped the story and ideals of the congregation and became the hallmark of its mission and spirituality.
The Sisters of Mercy are committed to alleviate injustice and to continue to reach out in compassion and service to the poor and oppressed, especially to women. They seek to do this through their continued presence to the sick, elderly, poor, prisoners and the marginalized.
About Eastern Health
Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 dedicated employees, over 700 medical staff, and is supported by approximately 2,000 volunteers, including members of numerous auxiliaries and fundraising foundations. With an annual budget of approximately $1.6 billion, the authority offers the full continuum of health and community services including public health, long-term care, community services, hospital care and unique provincial programs and services. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend west from St. John’s to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.