California's Capital Region: The Sacramento Valley

DIGNITY HEALTH
SACRAMENTO
Above: In 1897, the Sisters of Mercy broke ground on Sacramento’s first
private hospital, Mater Misericordiae. It was one of the most modern and
best equipped hospitals in California, but the community quickly outgrew its
capacity. In response, in 1925 the Sisters opened a new hospital at the
current site of Mercy General.
Since the California Gold Rush, Dignity
Health has been committed to furthering the
healing ministry of Jesus by delivering compassionate,
high-quality, affordable health services.
This calls for serving and advocating for those
who are poor and disenfranchised, and partnering
with others in the community to improve the
quality of life.
Upon their arrival on April 21, 1857, in the
gold rush boom town known as Roaring Camp
(present day Sacramento), Sisters Mary Baptist
Russell and Mary deSales Reddan quickly began
making regular visits to the sick. This was the
beginning of their involvement with health care
in Sacramento.
In 1897 the Sisters of Mercy opened Mater
Misericordiae, (Latin for ‘Mother of Mercy’), one
of the most modern and best equipped hospitals in
California at the time. The community quickly outgrew the
hospital’s capacity, and in 1925, the Sisters opened what is
now Mercy General Hospital. Following World War II, a
period of unparalleled growth began. In response, a new
wing opened in 1954, increasing the hospital’s capacity by
100 beds and fifteen emergency beds.
With continued growth, the Sisters saw the need to
expand their health care ministry, building Mercy San Juan
Hospital in Carmichael in 1967. Its facilities and equipment
were at the cutting edge of modern technology. As the
greater Sacramento area continued to grow, the Sisters of
Mercy expanded their health care ministry to meet the
region’s needs.
1857
Sisters of Mercy
come by riverboat
to Sacramento,
beginning their
ministry in
the capital.
1897
Sisters of Mercy
begin their health
care ministry in
Sacramento by
opening Mater
Misericordiae
Hospital
(becomes known
as Sisters’
Hospital).
1919
The Sisters
purchase a sevenacre
dairy site at
40th & J streets
to build a new
hospital.
1925
Sisters of Mercy
open Mercy
Hospital
(officially
renamed Mercy
General in 1934).
1954
Mercy General
Hospital adds the
East Wing to
accommodate
115 beds and
other clinical,
maternity and
surgical facilities.
Mercy
Foundation is
established.
1967
Mercy San Juan
Hospital is
established.
1980
Sisters of Mercy
acquire Twin
Lakes Community
Hospital and
rename it Mercy
Hospital of
Folsom.
1987
Catholic
Healthcare West
is established
when the Sisters
of Mercy in
Auburn combine
their health
ministry with the
Sisters of Mercy
in Burlingame.
1989
Sisters of Mercy
open a new 95-
bed facility for
Mercy Hospital of
Folsom, located
on a 26-acre
parcel donated by
the Cummings
and Tsakopoulos
families. Level III
NICU opens at
Mercy San Juan.
1993
Methodist
Hospital affiliates
with Mercy
Healthcare
Sacramento. A
$32 million
capital
improvement
program was
quickly launched
for the Methodist
campus.
1995
Mercy San Juan is
named an
accredited cancer
center. Mercy
Family Health
Center and
Family Practice
Residency
Program are
established at
Methodist
Hospital.
CALIFORNIA’S CAPITAL REGION - THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY
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