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Description

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We seek to improve the health and quality of life of communities we serve with particular concern for people who are economically poor

Five core values guide our decisions and actions


Dignity
Accepting of all persons as created in the image of God

Justice
Honoring each persons rights and responsibilities in light of the common good

Service
Responding with compassion to the needs of others

Excellence
Striving to attain high standards of performance and proficiency

Stewardship
Using our talents and resources wisely As we strive to meet the needs of the Ozarks area we stand ready to serve others as their needs dictate and our capabilities allow

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History

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The Sisters of Mercy were founded in 1831 in Dublin Ireland by Catherine McAuley Catherine was an heiress who used her fortune to serve the poor especially women and children

When Catherine McAuley began her work in 1827 she intended to create a way for the poor to learn marketable skills that would enable them to secure jobs

By matching the skills of the newly educated poor with the needs of Dublins elite Catherine was able to help both groups Even though Catherine did not intend to form a religious order she was compelled by the fact that it would perpetuate service to the poor after her death

During the mid19th century many laborers and their families emigrated to the United States

Sisters of Mercy followed these emigrants to the US to nurse and teach in the poor communities that sprang up around factories and mines In twos threes and fours they traveled to establish schools hospitals and programs for the poor Their numbers grew as new members were attracted to the Order

The Sisters of Mercy in the United States Central America South America Guam and the Philippines united July 20 1991 to form the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas To this day they continue to respond to a call to serve Gods people through education health care and other ministries that further social political economic and spiritual wellbeing

The Founding of St Johns

Three Sisters of Mercy from St Louis settled in Springfield to establish St Johns Hospital in 1891 in a small brick home with four patient rooms The Sisters lacked medical equipment and often walked many miles to care for patients who were too ill to come to the hospital

At the turn of the century the Sisters addressed the growing need for staff and equipment In 1905 a new St Johns Hospital and nursing school opened

As Springfield grew so did the need for physicians In 1924 four visionary physicians introduced the innovative concept of group medical practice General surgeons Wilbur Smith Wallis Smith and Robert Glynn along with Guy D Callaway an internist founded the SmithGlynnCallaway Clinic

As better roads and automobiles brought more people to Springfield for medical care SmithGlynnCallaway Clinic developed additional specialties and added more internists

St Johns also continued to grow and expand The Sisters of Mercy purchased the current 11acre site at 1235 E Cherokee for a new 250bed facility after World War II The Sisters opened the new facility in 1952

Now a regional health center St Johns Hospital is licensed for 1016 beds which includes the Mercy Villa longterm care facility Numerous physicians and specialists established independent practices in Springfield many of them locating their offices in medical buildings on and near St Johns campus

In 1990 St Johns created a network of rural family practice clinics in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas Three years later the rural physicians joined SmithGlynnCallaway Clinic and other independent physician offices to form St Johns Health System Since then a health plans division a home care division five regional hospitals and seven pharmacies have joined St Johns

St Johns Health System continues a long tradition of health care leadership bringing integrated services to those in need across the Ozarks