In London, the health care complex now known as St. Joseph’s Health Centre (originally St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and Marian Villa), was administered by the Sisters until 1993. St. Stephen’s House, a transition home for alcoholics, was run by the Sisters until 2004. In Chatham, St. Joseph’s Hospital was administered by the Sisters until 1993, and since 1998 has been part of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
In January 1995, the Sisters donated their residence at 430 London Road to St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Sarnia to be used as a hospice. St. Joseph’s Hospice in London came under the direction of the St. Joseph’s Health Care Society whose expertise in operating the ten-bed hospice in Sarnia was integral to their involvement. A residential facility was opened in 2014.
This shift in hospital control came about in 1987, following the election of a completely new General Council of the Sisters of Joseph, when hospital ownership and sponsorship were raised as key issues. The Society was formed in 1993 in response to a decision made by the Sisters to cease direct administration of the health care institutions founded by them by establishing each of their hospitals as separate corporations and having lay people take over the administration. Therefore, they formed the St. Joseph’s Health Care Society to take up the particular role of Sponsor to ensure the ongoing stewardship of the treasure of Catholic health care into the future. The Society is the overall governing body. It connects the hospitals back to the Church to maintain Catholic identity. It has both canonical and civil law obligations. It governs the hospitals and hospices formerly administered by the Sisters in London as well as hospices in Sarnia, and London. The Society also addresses social and health needs and serves as a catalyst to implement solutions.
St. Joseph’s Health Care Society now administers St. Joseph’s Health Care (London, Ont.), St. Joseph's Hospice of Sarnia and Lambton, and St. Joseph’s Hospice of London.
Some important dates in the history of the transfer of hospital administration:
July 6, 1993: St. Joseph’s Health Care Society formed in London.
1985: Bluewater Health Foundation formed.
January 29, 1998: Signing of Strategic Alliance Agreement between St. Joseph’s Health Care Society on behalf of St. Joseph’s Hospital Sarnia and Sarnia General Hospital. Ownership of hospital later transferred to Lambton Hospitals Group.
February 1, 2018: Chatham Kent Health Alliance formed, amalgamating Sydenham District Hospital, the Public General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham.
The St. Joseph’s Health Care Society is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Society approves the appointment of institutional board members, upper management, and auditors and annual audited financial statements.
The Society is responsible to:
• approve the appointment of board trustees who are committed to the mission and values of St. Joseph’s Health Care Society;
• ensure the provision by board members, staff, and administrators of health and pastoral care services to reflect Roman Catholic values; and
• foster the Catholic Church’s philosophy of health care through sponsorship of a health leadership program.
In 1890 a meeting was held between Reverend Paul O.F.M of St. Joseph’s Parish Chatham, Reverend Mother Ignatia Campbell, and Mother Aloysia Nigh, along with some of the prominent doctors of Chatham. They decided that the community was in need of a hospital and the sisters agreed to run it. A boarding house, formerly the Salvation Army Barracks, was leased until funds could be secured for a new hospital to be built. The hospital was officially opened in its temporary quarters on October 15, 1890 with Mother Aloysia as its head, assisted by Sisters Francis and Martha. Construction began at the hospital’s long-time site of 519 King Street West on the Thames River with the laying of the cornerstone in 1891. Construction was completed in 1892. Over the years, wings were added onto the hospital to accommodate the growing community of Chatham and, therefore, the growing demand for hospital services.
In 1972, the amalgamation of services occurred between St. Joseph’s Hospital and Public General Hospital as ordered by the Ministry of Health for financial reasons. Legislative changes, increasing government control, and the decline of Sisters in the health care field led to the gradual withdrawal of the Sisters from the hospital. The last year that a sister was a hospital administrator was in 1984. In 1992, the Sisters withdrew from residence at the hospital, and in 1993 the ownership of the hospital was changed over to the St. Joseph’s Health Care Society. The hospital is now Riverview Gardens, a long-term care facility.
In 1927, following the Congregation of St. Joseph’s exit from Stettler, Alberta, Archbishop Henry Joseph O’Leary decided that a hospital was greatly needed in Galahad, AB. His request for one was granted by the General Superior and her Council, and in 1927, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Galahad, AB. At this time, the only building available to the Sisters was a small 2 story teacherage. The building, which had no plumbing, consisted of only 6 rooms and came with little to no equipment that could be used for medical purposes. The Sisters were thus frequently required to improvise and make-do with what was available. During these early years in Galahad, the government provided no financial aid to the Sisters; consequently, they depended on funding provided to them by the community and via bank loans.
Throughout 1927, increasing numbers of settlers arrived in Galahad, AB. At times, this led to crowding within the existing hospital and to a heavier workload for the Sisters. Sister Jane Frances O’Rourke and Mother Patricia Coughlin are said to have played crucial roles during this time. Due to the growing role of the hospital and because of space constraints, plans for a new hospital building were soon underway.
In 1927, Mr. Hugh Taylor, (the sole real estate agent in Galahad, AB), offered the Sisters four and a half acres of land on which to build their new hospital. Following this acquisition of land, bids were tendered and the C. Gordon Company of Vegreville won the construction job. The Wheatland Municipality contributed $2,500 to construction costs. The new building, which consisted of two stories, a brick interior and large grounds, was officially opened by His Grace Archbishop O’Leary on September 3rd, 1928.
In 1932, the average number of patients was 20, and most were from the towns of Galahad, Forestburg, and Alliance. The first doctors to work in the hospital were Dr. Maynes and Dr. A.J. Cook. In 1947 Sister Loyola Donovan became Administrator and Sister Genevieve Casey became Superior of the Galahad Community.
In 1953, having conferred with the community, the Sisters advised that a new building was once again needed. They requested that a new structure be built - one that could house 45 beds and a 10 bed bassinet nursery. In 1953, having won the contract, Burns and Dutton started work on the project with Mr. Alex Fellows in the role of Construction Superintendent. The cost of the new building was estimated at $250,000.00, and was funded through a long term loan from the Bank of Montreal in Forestburg. In September 1954, the new building was officially opened and blessed by Monsignor Carleton.
In 1955, renovations to the old hospital were undertaken. Upon completion of the renovations, the building became living accommodations for the Sisters. During this time, the Chapel was also relocated nearer to the new hospital and was later blessed by Archbishop MacDonald in May 1955.
In 1962, an Advisory Board was established that included local business men and district farmers. This Board was meant to advise and assist the Sisters with matters regarding the hospital as well as Provincial and Municipal affairs.
On August 4th, 1973, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Galahad was granted full accreditation.
Toward the end of the 1970s, many physicians were leaving rural practice and vacancies created by retirees were not being filled. In the meantime, the Sisters also faced staffing problems. Since Vatican II, more professions and apostolates had become available to Sisters, which resulted in a decline of Health Care apostolates. All of these changes led the Congregation of St. Joseph to re-evaluate their ownership of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Galahad.
On August 31st, 1978, the Sisters of St. Joseph gave up their ownership of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Galahad. Thereafter, ownership was transferred by the Department of the Ministry of Health to Flagstaff-Hughendan Hospital District #55.
St. Joseph’s Hospital, London, Ontario is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples. This land is covered by various treaties including the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum and the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796. London currently neighbours the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation.
St. Joseph’s Hospital was founded in London in 1888 after Dr. W. T. O’Reilly, the Inspector of Prisons and Public Charities, encouraged Mother Ignatia Campbell of the Sisters of St. Joseph to start a hospital. She assigned three Sisters to the task: Mother Aloysia Nigh, Sister Martha Toohey, and Sister Herman Murphy. The hospital was officially opened on October 15, 1888, at the Judge W. P. Street residence. They set up a small chapel within the house and appointed Dr. John Wishart, Dr. William E. Waugh, Dr. William Woodruff, and Dr. James Macarthur as medical staff for the ten-bed hospital.
In 1892, the hospital was expanded to a capacity of sixty beds through a new wing attached to the original building. The hospital now had nine Sisters as staff and began to hire outside help. More physicians also began to practice at the hospital, and further major additions were constructed in 1903, 1915, the Nurses’ Residence in 1927, 1931, 1954, 1964, and 1981.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, established in 1901, provided training for nursing students and extra staff for the hospital. The program was three years long and granted a diploma in nursing. In 1976, the school was amalgamated by Fanshawe College, and they ceased operations at St. Joseph’s in 1977.
Throughout its history, St. Joseph’s Hospital has been host to many medical innovations and some firsts. The hospital’s first department of radiology, making use of X-rays, opened in 1916, and the medical staff was organized into official departments/specialties in 1922. In 1967, the neo-natal intensive care unit opened, followed by the Family Medical Centre in 1969. The Detoxification Centre, for patients suffering from alcoholism, opened in 1973. 1982 saw St. Joseph’s be the first hospital in Canada to capture a human image using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and shortly afterwards in 1983 the Research Institute was established (renamed the Lawson Health Research Institute in 1987). In 1985, St. Joseph’s Hospital became St. Joseph’s Health Centre when it amalgamated with Marian Villa and St. Mary’s Hospital, and in 1997 Parkwood Hospital joined as well. The London and St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospitals joined as well in 2001, and St. Joseph’s changed its name once more to St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
The role of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the hospital has changed over the years, from its founding in 1888. With the retirement of Sister Mary Doyle as executive director in the hospital’s hundredth year, 1988, the role of executive director began to be filled by laypeople. In 1993, the Sisters decided to step back from direct administration of the hospital and formed the St. Joseph’s Health Care Society to provide for its leadership. As of 2025, there are still Sisters actively involved in the Society.
Bishop Thomas Dowling (Bishop of Peterborough) purchased ‘St Leonard's Grove' in Ashburnham and on October 14, 1888 laid the cornerstone for a Catholic hospital in Peterborough. At the request of Bishop Alphonsus O'Connor (who had succeed Bishop Dowling as Bishop of Peterborough), five Sisters from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto came to Peterborough in 1890 to set up the new hospital. These Sisters were part of the group which in August 1990 formed the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peterborough, shortly before the official opening of the hospital. The first retreat for the new Congregation, which ended with the election of Reverend Mother Austin Doran as the first Superior General, was held at the new hospital. A few days later, on August 20, 1890, Bishop O'Connor presided over the official opening of the 25 bed facility and declared that it was "open to all denominations", unlike Peterborough's other hospital (Nicholls Hospital) which was restricted to Protestants.
The following year forty aged, blind and destitute people (including orphans) who were being cared for by the Toronto Congregation arrived at the hospital. The former stable was renovated to accommodate the men and boys, and the women and children occupied the top floor of the hospital. The crowding and the unsuitability of the accommodations led to the opening of the House of Providence in 1900.
In 1894, three Sisters came from Lindsay to staff the Lake Street School (Sacred Heart School), the first teaching Sisters in Peterborough. They resided at St. Joseph's Hospital until Mount St. Joseph opened in 1895. St. Joseph's Hospital was incorporated as a charitable institution in 1894. In 1898 during an outbreak of typhoid fever which swept Peterborough, the hospital played an crucial role in caring for those afflicted with the disease.
Electric lighting was installed in 1900, making the care of patients much easier.
The hospital continued to grow with the opening of a major addition in 1908. This new wing included an operating room, sterilizing facilities, twelve additional patient beds, an isolation ward, space for a laboratory and accommodation for both Sisters and nursing students. It also boasted the first elevator in Peterborough. In later years this addition and the original building were referred to as 'C Wing'. These earliest sections were demolished in 1969.
In 1909 the first baby was born at St. Joseph's Hospital - at the time most births happened in homes.
In 1911 a steam laundry was opened to service the enlarged hospital.
After one of the Sisters had received training at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, an X-ray Department was established in 1913 in what had been the isolation ward. The X-Ray machine was purchased through the efforts of the three city parishes. The following year the Clinical Laboratory was opened, the first of its kind in Peterborough.
The hospital played a major role in responding to the disastrous fire at their neighbour, Quaker Oats Company, in 1916. In order to deal with the wave of injured, help was received from willing hands from House of Providence, Mount St. Joseph and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Two years later the hospital responded vigorously to the Spanish Influenza epidemic which struck Peterborough.
1922 saw a number of major achievements: a second addition ('A Wing') with sixty additional patient beds (including obstetrical, medical and surgical units) and an operating room and the awarding of a ‘Certificate of Approval' by the American College of Surgeons.
In 1944 Bishop John MacDonald (Bishop of Peterborough) transferred ownership of the hospital from the diocese to the Congregation.
St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary was formed in 1946 to assist the Sisters in meeting patients' needs.
The years after World War II were busy times as a number of important additions were completed. 1947 saw the opening of a Nurses' Residence, with a tunnel connecting it to the hospital. The same year a new power plant and laundry was opened. In 1950 a major addition ('B Wing') opened with 75 additional beds, Dietary Department and a Business Office. The cafeteria was completed in this section in 1952, as was the fourth floor of the Nurses' Residence.
The 1960's saw major changes to the facilities. A Cancer Clinic was opened in 1961 on the first floor of the Nurses' residence. The A Wing (built in 1922) was renovated in 1963 to bring it up to modern standards. It was designed to accommodate the nursery and Paediatric Department. A major addition ("D Wing") was completed in 1964, including 113 additional beds, new X-Ray Department, new Laboratory Department, new Surgical Suite, Emergency Department, Admitting Department, Physiotherapy Department, Medical Records Department, Pharmacy, Central Supplies, Morgue, Medical Library, Tuck Shop, Administration Office and an extension to the Dietary Department. In 1965 renovations to create a new Intensive Care Unit were completed. The Chapel was renovated in 1966. In 1969 the original hospital and most of the 1908 wing (except the chapel) were demolished, as they were no longer suitable for modern patient care.
In 1970 Mr. Leo Doiron became the first lay administrator of St. Joseph's Hospital.
In keeping up its tradition of offering the best in patient care, a Nuclear Medicine Department was opened in 1971.
The Laundry Department was folded in 1972, as the hospital become one of the founding members of Kawartha Hospital Linen Services, a co-operative venture of area hospitals. In 1973 a Teen Volunteer Program was begun to allow interested young people to provide assistance to staff and patients, while giving them valuable experience of hospital work.
The 1970's saw the beginning of rationalization of functions with Peterborough Civic Hospital, as Obstetrics were moved to Civic, and Orthopaedic services were centralized at St. Joseph's. This specialization led in 1974 to the formation of a Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine and in 1977 to the opening of a Prosthetic/Orthotic Workshop and the Adult Rehabilitation Program. Also in 1977 The Cancer Clinic was re-organized and expanded in conjunction with Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, so that Peterborough area residents did not always have to travel to Toronto for diagnosis and treatment. The following year an Audiology Department, Back Care Program and Orthopaedic Clinic were opened.
From 1978 to 1981 the Canadian Hearing Society operated a Hearing Handicapped Centre in part of a house owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph (Medaille House) to support the work of the Audiology Department.
In 1982 a Joint Boards Committee was formed with Civic Hospital to formalize on-going planning of Peterborough area medical care and other issues of mutual concern.
A Palliative Care Program was initiated in 1983 to train volunteers who would assist the dying and their families. In the same year the Paediatric Ward was closed, as all services for children would be offered at Civic.
In February 1984, St. Joseph's Hospital assumed responsibilty for ownership and operation of two small Red Cross "outpost" hospitals in Haliburton and Minden. In April 1996 this responsiblity was transferred to Haliburton Highlands Health Services.
St. Joseph's Hospital of Peterborough Foundation was founded in 1985 to fund-raise for major hospital capital projects.
In 1986 a Day Hospital was opened to offer minor surgical procedures. The chapel was refurbished in 1989.
The Centennial of St. Joseph's Hospital, along with the Centennial of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peterborough, were celebrated in 1990 with a variety of special events.
In 1991 the Cancer Clinic was moved to Civic Hospital.
Because of growing concerns about the ability to provide and finance hospital care in Peterborough, St. Joseph's Board of Governors met with the Civic Hospital Board of Governors along with representatives from the City and County of Peterborough in 1992. These efforts to provide the best possible medical care in times of financial stress continued throughout the following years, leading to an evolution of the roles of the two institutions. In 1992 the hospital's name was changed to St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Centre, since it was no longer a general hospital.
In 1993 the phasing out of emergency services at St. Joseph's began, with the Emergency Department closed from midnight to 8:00AM. A number of services were consolidated at St. Joseph's including orthopaedics, ophthalmology, urology, dentistry and general rehabilitation.
The Emergency Department was closed in 1994, and renovations were made to accommodate more Day Surgery. In the same year, the Oncology Centre for cancer treatment was transferred back to St. Joseph's. It was now operated in co-operation with Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and Ontario Cancer Research Foundation.
In 1995 a new Palliative Care Centre was opened, providing a multi-disciplinary approach to palliative care in a home-like setting. Also in 1995, all the health care facilities owned by the Congregation were transferred to the sponsorship of the Fontbonne Health Care Society. This is a Public Juridic Person committed to carrying out the vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the hospital as well as Marycrest Home For the Aged and Marycrest at Inglewood.
Further rationalization of services was carried out in 1996 as the ICU (Critical Care Services) were consolidated at Civic. Also in 1996, the hospital became a separate corporation, known as St. Joseph's Health Centre. In the same year, the hospitals in Minden and Haliburton were transferred to the community-based Haliburton Services Board.
An important step in the co-operation between St. Joseph's Hospital and Civic Hospital occurred in 1996 with the formation of the Peterborough Hospitals Joint Services Agreement. Initially this involved Pharmacy, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services. In subsequent years it expanded to include Human Resources and Financial Services. The two hospitals also submitted a Joint Operating Plan to the Ministry of Health. This plan proposed that St. Joseph's become the Regional Chronic Care Centre, while all acute care was to be available at Civic.
An innovative program was begun in 1997 in the former Nurses' residence. A Complementary Care Centre was opened, offering services such as massage therapy, therapeutic touch, yoga and other complementary services. St. Joseph's was the first hospital in the province to offer these types of services.
The Ministry of Health sent a Special Investigation Team, led by Dr. Barry Smith, to review the operations of St. Joseph's and Peterborough Civic Hospital because of media reports of problems providing timely, efficient care.
In 1977 the District Health Council issued a report after considerable discussion and debate which recommended the transformation to St. Joseph's Continuing Care Resource Centre to offer Chronic Care, Rehabilitation, Geriatric Assessment, Palliative Care, and a variety of non-acute ambulatory out-patient services. Civic Hospital would become the regional Acute Care Facility.
On March 12, 1998, despite the overwhelming support of the community for the recommendations of the District Health Council that Peterborough retain two hospitals, the Health Services Restructuring Commission decreed that all hospital services in Peterborough be located at Civic Hospital and that St. Joseph's be closed by the year 2000. In spite of outcry in the community, this decision saw the end of St. Joseph's Hospital. A major tribute was hosted by the Peterborough community later in 1998 to thank the Sisters of St. Joseph for their 108 years of hospital care.
The building continued in use as the 'Rogers St. Site' of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre until June of 2008, when new hospital building was opened.
The Sisters of St. Joseph had come to Port Arthur in 1881 to take charge of the parish school. Almost immediately they became aware of a need to care for men seriously injured while working on the railway construction. On an informal basis, some of these men were cared for in the convent. In 1882, Fr. Hamel, S.J. offered land adjacent to the church for a hospital. In 1884, in consultation with the Bishop and town officials, it was decided that the Sisters would open a hospital. In 1883, an addition to the convent provided a chapel and two classrooms. Sister Monica, who had come from Toronto as a housekeeper, became the chief hospital worker. Even while the hospital building was under construction, areas of the convent and school were used to care for the sick and injured. The new building was finished in November, but was used by the school children until May of 1885 because the hospital furnishings and equipment had to arrive by ship after the ice melted and it was felt it would be too disruptive to move the patients in the cold of winter. In 1885, the "Ladies Aid" was formed to support the Sisters in their work in the hospital, providing both financial and social assistance.
When the hospital first opened, conditions were very primitive because of the lack of proper supplies and equipment. Most patients could not afford to pay anything, and public funds for the indigent were very difficult to obtain. Sr. Monica would go with a companion up and down the railway line soliciting donations for the hospital and St. Vincent's Orphanage in Fort William.
In 1890, when the Peterborough Congregation was formed, St. Joseph's Hospital was one of the original houses which formed the new Congregation. In 1900, a 3 storey addition was completed, along with a one floor addition to the original hospital. Much of the cost as covered by Sister Monica's begging trips. In 1902, the nursing sisters took up residence in the hospital, and a chapel was opened in the hospital, leaving St. Joseph's Convent for the school and music Sisters. 1905 was another important year in the growth of the hospital, as another three storey addition was opened, and a School Of Nursing began training qualified staff. The first graduates completed their studies in 1907.
In 1909, the Silver Jubilee of the hospital was celebrated. The hospital matured in 1918 with the opening of a modern wing including X-ray, clinical laboratory and pediatric departments. The hospital could now care for 150 patients. Like all similar health care facilities, St. Joseph's Hospital rose to the challenge of the 1918 outbreak of influenza. Sr. Monica's soliciting trips of funds for the hospital and orphanage continued into the 1920's.
In 1922, the hospital was accredited with an 'A-1' rating. In 1925 both the Congregation and the City of Port Arthur honoured Sister Monica on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. In 1928, the original convent and south wing were demolished, and an addition completed which included sunrooms, central power house and a steam laundry. The design of the addition meant that all parts of the hospital were connected to each other easily. In 1928, a nearby home was purchased as a residence for nurses in training.
In 1934, the 50th anniversary of the hospital was celebrated with a special mass celebrated by Bishop David Scollard (Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie) and the unveiling a monument and statue of St. Joseph in recognition of the Sisters' contribution, especially Sister Monica who had devoted herself tirelessly to the hospital from its inception until her death in 1931. In 1935 a larger home was purchased for the nurses' residence, and the kitchen was renovated and expanded.
In 1936, at the initiative of Bishop Hubert Dignan, the Congregation's houses in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie formed a branch Congregation, and so St. Joseph's Hospital became part of the new Congregation, continuing to give compassionate health care for many years.
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sarnia, Ontario, was born during the leadership term of Mother Constance Dunn. Sisters were invited by Mayor Hipple’s Sarnia City Council to set up a hospital in October 1942 but had to appeal to the federal government to release essential building materials so that the cornerstone was not laid until April 21, 1944. The new hospital was located at 290 North Russell Street.
The shortage of labour and materials meant that building progress was slow, but even though the hospital was not completed, one floor was opened on March 1, 1946, to meet the acute need for hospital beds. When the formal opening took place on October 18, 1946, The Honourable George A. Drew, Premier of Ontario cut the ribbon. Bishops J.T. Kidd and J.C. Cody (Coadjutor, Bishop), and priests from London and Detroit were present. Officials from other hospitals were also present. It was one of the first complete hospitals built after WW II. The million-dollar hospital with 150 beds and 30 bassinettes was funded completely by the Sisters along with a $10,000 grant from the City of Sarnia and the offer of freedom from municipal taxation. Unfortunately, the grant did not materialize due to technicalities of municipal law and council changes. Later, Mayor W. C. Nelson personally assumed and discharged that debt. Once the hospital opened, the units were filled with both Canadian and American patients from Port Huron and the state of Michigan.
There were 26 resident Sisters, who carried out active nursing roles and administrative duties, notably Sister Pascal Kenny who served as the first Administrator of the hospital. She had previous experience working in operating rooms and administration and was a member of the American College of Hospital Administrators and of the Board of Governors of the Ontario Hospital Association. In the early days, nursing, technical, and domestic staff were difficult to find. Many of the staff were mothers of families who could only work occasionally. Students from St. Joseph’s Training School of Nursing in London helped fill the nursing rota and were hired permanently after graduation. Because of the nursing shortage, innovations were made such as the central distribution of medicines and central surgical supply rooms.
By September 1948, St. Joseph’s Hospital was better able to provide for patients. A detoxification centre was opened, and many alcoholics were treated at the hospital. A clinic for cancer patients was also held regularly at the hospital, overseen by a team from the London Cancer Clinic, who did follow-up checks and therapy. The Auxiliary Radiotherapy and Follow-up Cancer Clinic, the first of its kind in Ontario, was opened in conjunction with the Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation.
On August 23, 1954, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, donated by Dr. Carpeneto was installed in the grounds. In November 1954, a movie star, Pat O’Brien, was a patient, causing quite a stir among the staff. He liked the hospital very much. In the early days, there was a tennis court donated by staff and during the winter it was flooded for skating.
Due to the demands on hospital care with the burgeoning population of Sarnia, a seven-story, two-million-dollar addition was built in 1959, with the help of two government grants and a capital expense campaign by the people of Sarnia. The new wing added 150 beds and an expanded radiology department with the latest diagnostic equipment, and an enlarged laboratory. By this time, the number of Sisters on staff was 13.
In 1960, a 45-bed paediatric wing was added. The late 1960’s saw the establishment of an employee health program, the addition of a Social Service Department, and in 1969, a diagnostic radioisotope service. This time period also saw the establishment of District Health Councils. In 1966, 27,377 patients used the hospital, 857 babies were born, and there were 649 hospital employees, and 129 medical-dental staff. Over that year and the following year, the laboratory was renovated, and an intensive care unit opened.
In the 1970s, the hospital needed to update its facilities to meet accreditation standards, as well as to comply with the Sisters’ own standards of care. Because government funding was decreased, Sisters needed to do more independent fundraising. This decade also saw the Ministry of Health deciding to amalgamate hospitals and rationalize services in Lambton County. This became a political issue which meant many hours were spent on discussions with the District Health Council, the Mustard Report, and other tasks. St. Joseph’s Hospital also became embroiled in a confrontation with the Ministry of Health on contentious issues regarding health services, which conflicted with the Catholic faith.
Over this decade, renovations were conducted with an isotope department added, cafeteria improvements, and renovations to the nursery and obstetrics unit. When the pediatrics unit was transferred to Sarnia General Hospital in April 1976, the children’s wing closed and only obstetrics remained. From 1966-1986, 196,857 patients were treated.
Sister St. Elizabeth Wilkinson, Sister St. Paul Dietrich, Sister Georgina Ashwell, Sister Mary Elizabeth Campbell, and Sister Rita Heenan, also served as Administrators over these decades. From 1979 onwards, diminishing numbers of Sisters able to take on the responsibilities of hospital management led to the hiring of qualified laypersons, beginning with Frank Bagatto as the Executive Director in June 1979.
In the 1980s, quality assurance became a major focus, and new services such as the chiropody were added. There were further renovations and improvements, including to the intensive care unit, and the addition of the new Chronic Care Facility. The Sisters’ quarters were vacated, and social service and respiratory technology relocated in this area. An outpatient surgery unit was added, and improvements were made to the heating system, cafeteria, elevators, and nurse-call system. Some of these renovations were fully or partially funded by the Ministry of Health.
By 1982, there were only seven Sisters left on staff, with four in pastoral care. The last Sisters’ quarters were converted to use as an auditorium and health science library in 1983, with Sisters moving to a house at 430 London Road. During this year, palliative care was added. In November 1983, with the assistance of the Lambton District Health Council, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Sarnia General and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Under this agreement, St. Joseph’s Hospital took over the family oriented acute care field with responsibility for chronically ill patients.
Further changes took place throughout the 1980s including the opening of an ambulatory care unit. Monies from community fundraising efforts as well as the Ministry of Health were secured for the building of a $21 million free standing hospital connected to the old hospital on two levels. This took place in three stages beginning with parking lots, demolition of apartment buildings on Norman Street, and construction of the main buildings. A sod turning ceremony was held on August 24, 1987. However, the hospital faced problems such as budgetary restraints placed on Ontario hospitals and a $1 million deficit, and without provincial help, cuts had to be made to services, particularly to part-time staff.
St. Joseph’s Hospital was officially re-opened as St. Joseph’s Health Centre on October 12, 1990, with facilities for rehabilitation, and continuing and palliative care. This was the amalgamation of St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Continuing Care Centre (formerly the Chronic Care Facility), Sarnia-Lambton Workers’ Treatment Centre, and a Day Hospital. The name change reflects a concomitant change in service provision and governance. St. Joseph’s Health Centre no longer served exclusively as an in-patient treatment centre for the critically ill. It also provided long-term care beds and outpatient treatment. Chief Maness of the local Anishinaabe community spoke at the opening. Patients were transferred to continuing care, mostly from Sarnia General Hospital, but also from acute care beds, homes, and outside agencies for a total of 142 patients by the end of 1990. The hospital that opened its main doors on Russell Street now opened its doors on Norman Street.
In August 1991, the entire hospital site was acquired from the Sisters by St. Joseph’s Health Services Association of Sarnia, Inc. In January 1995, the Sisters donated their residence at 430 London Road to St. Joseph Health Centre to be used as a hospice. Funding for its operation came from daily fees, donations, and St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
There was pressure from the Ministry of Health to rationalize services, which led to changes in service delivery such as moving neurology to Sarnia General Hospital and urology to St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1995, a study, “Lambton’s Healthy Future” was undertaken by the Lambton District Health Council, the two Sarnia hospitals, and the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital in Petrolia which set the stage for changes in hospital care. In 1997, St. Joseph’s Hospital acute care services began being transferred to Sarnia General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital became the provider of support services such as Food Services, Housekeeping, Human Resources, and Materials Management. The emergency department at St. Joseph’s Hospital closed in June 1997.
On January 29, 1998, St. Joseph’s Health Centre joined in partnership with the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital and the Sarnia General Hospital by signing the Strategic Alliance Agreement. In April 2003, ownership of St. Joseph’s Health Centre was given to the Lambton County Hospital Group.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chatham dates back to 1901 when it was discovered that secular nurses would be needed to help out the Sisters of the Congregation in the hospitals. Doctors gave the lectures at the school. From 1903 onward, graduates could be given diplomas. Sister Monica Coyle became Directress of the School. The Alumnae Association of St. Joseph’s Hospital, which started in 1915, raised funds for the school. The last graduating class from the school was in 1970. After the closure of the nursing school, training was delivered by St. Clair College, and nurses did their practical training at both Chatham hospitals (St. Joseph's Hospital and Public General Hospital).