History, Mission and Core Values

Our Mission

St. Joseph Healthcare, sponsored by Covenant Health Systems, is a Catholic healthcare facility founded by Monsignor Henry Milette and the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, the "Grey Nuns." Inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus, our mission is to provide compassionate care that contributes to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our community of patients, family, friends and neighbors.

History

St. Joseph Hospital - recognized for excellence and service to our community - 100 years and counting.

1906  St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Parish, under the leadership of Monsignor Henry Milette, begins construction of a 78-bed hospital on Kinsley Street on June 21.

1907  The Sisters of Charity of Montreal, also known as the Grey Nuns, contract with Monsignor Milette and Bishop Guertin to operate the new facility.

1908  The hospital is dedicated on May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The sisters also open St. Joseph School of Nursing.

1910  The School of Nursing graduates its first class.

1914–1921  Construction adds 39 beds to the hospital, bringing total bed capacity to 117. The hospital is the first in the state accepted by the College of Surgeons as a "Class A" Hospital.

1938  Ownership of St. Joseph Hospital is transferred from St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Parish to the Grey Nuns.

1946  A new home for 100 student nurses is built.

1967  A new 137-bed facility (the present South building) opens in July, after which the original building is demolished. Subsequently the hospital expands to 200 beds with a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit.

1972  The hospital's first lay Board of Directors is formed. William J. Clegg, Jr., is appointed as the first lay administrator of St. Joseph Hospital.

1976  Milford Medical Center opens as the hospital's first satellite facility.

1977  A second satellite facility in Merrimack opens.

1980  A new wing is dedicated, adding 92,000 additional square feet to the hospital.

1981  St. Joseph Hospital is designated a Level II Trauma Center.

1986  Rockingham Regional Ambulance, Inc. is acquired.

1990  St. Joseph Hospital begins to acquire and expand physician practices throughout the area.

1995  The Adult Day Health Center opens.

1996  Sponsorship of St. Joseph Hospital is transferred to Covenant Health Systems, a public juridical person established by the Grey Nuns. Souhegan Home & Hospice Care is acquired. The SurgiCenter opens.

2000  The Breast Care Center opens at its new location, providing Nashua with the first facility to offer comprehensive breast care in a single location.

2001  The Cardiovascular and Diabetes Center, affiliated with the New England Heart Institute, opens at St. Joseph Hospital. Land is purchased from St. Joseph Parish to provide room for future expansion.

2006  A wing providing new outpatient facilities is opened.

Core Values

Our core values reflect our passion for quality care and support us in our first priority - to promote the well-being of the people we serve.

Compassion
We seek to care for all as we wish to be treated.

Excellence
We do our best each day to improve all aspects of St. Joseph Hospital and the services we provide to our patients.

Integrity
We work to earn the trust of those we serve and strive to do what is right for them, every time.

Collaboration
We work as a team and partner with other organizations to benefit our patients, their families, and the community.

Stewardship
We develop and manage our human, financial, material, and other resources to benefit and support those we serve.