Providence Health & Services is a network of 29 hospitals (and other healthcare related facilities) spanning the states of Alaska, Washington, Montana, Oregon, and California on the United States west coast. Although headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the health system's most dense region is Portland, Oregon and the surrounding area. It is also the parent company of Little Company of Mary, a small group of hospitals in California.

History

Providence Health System was founded by the Sisters of Providence, a community of Roman Catholic sisters founded in Montreal, Quebec by Mother Emilie Gamelin in 1843. In 1856, Mother Joseph and four sisters came to Vancouver, Washington (then Washington Territory) to serve the native people and settlers. In 1858, they founded St. Joseph Hospital, the Pacific Northwest's first permanent hospital (now Southwest Washington Medical Center). In 1859, the sisters incorporated their ministries within the Territory of Washington, and Providence Health System continues today as one of the oldest corporations in the state. The sisters went on to establish numerous schools and hospitals in Washington, Montana, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, and California. Providence Services and its facilities share this corporate lineage.

Providence Health System was managed by the Sisters of Providence until 1979, when the first lay-person was made president of the system due to the declining numbers and expanded services of the religious community.

Unification With Providence Services

On January 1, 2006, Providence Health System began merging their facilities and resources with those of nearby Providence Services. With this reunification, the Washington Region was expanded and renamed the Washington/Montana Region. As of January 1, 2007, the company permanently changed its name to Providence Health & Services.^[1] The President and CEO in 2007 is John Koster, MD and their system office is located in Seattle, Washington's Smith Tower.

Hospitals

Alaska

• Providence Alaska Medical Center
• Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center
• Providence Matanuska Health Care Center
• Providence Seward Medical and Care Center
• Providence Valdez Medical Center

California

• Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
• Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
• Little Company of Mary Hospital (San Pedro)
• Little Company of Mary Hospital (Torrance)

Montana

• St. Joseph Medical Center
• St. Patrick Hospital

Oregon

• Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
• Providence Portland Medical Center
• Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
• Providence Medford Medical Center
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital
• Providence Newberg Hospital
• Providence Seaside Hospital

Washington

• Holy Family Hospital
• Mount Carmel Hospital
• Providence Everett Medical Center
• Providence St. Peter Hospital
• Providence Centralia Hospital
• Sacred Heart Medical Center
• Sacred Heart Children's Hospital
• St. Mary Medical Center
• St. Joseph Hospital
• Whitman Hospital

Other Types of Facilities

In addition to their 29 primary and acute facilities, Providence Health & Services hosts more than 35 facilities for outpatient services, transitional care, home and hospice care, substance abuse programs, mental health treatment, comprehensive outreach programs including prevention and wellness, long-term care, assisted living, and housing^[2].

References

External links

• Providence Health & Services official site

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