A Tale of Two Beginnings
In 1882, a two-story boarding house in Pueblo, Colorado was converted into St. Mary’s Hospital by the Sisters of Charity. Two Sisters of Charity—Sister Maria Teresa O’Donnell and Sister Cephas Bray visited Pueblo and realized the need “which the poor and afflicted had of their services.” Permission was granted to found a hospital. Over 100 years ago, eight sisters founded St. Mary’s Hospital.
That same year, Colorado Fuel & Iron Company established a hospital for its employees and their families. The company transferred ownership of Corwin Hospital to the sisters in the late 1940s, creating St. Mary-Corwin Hospital. Our legacy comes from two unique rivers, merged into one. The innovations of the early Corwin Hospital and the compassion of the Sisters of Charity combine to give St. Mary-Corwin Hospital a very rich heritage in the local community they serve. Today, St. Mary-Corwin Hospital continues this legacy of compassionate, outstanding care dating back to 1882 with an accredited and nationally recognized cancer center, designated Breast Center of Excellence, state of the art robotic-assisted surgical technology and much more. Driven by our commitment to Pueblo and to our healing ministry, St. Mary-Corwin is focusing on our core areas of clinical strength. Concentrating on cancer care and orthopedic services enables St. Mary-Corwin to continue to provide high-quality, high-value health care for generations to come.
The MD Anderson Cancer Network certification at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital means access to the nation’s top cancer specialists, along with access to treatment guidelines and best practices developed by MD Anderson.
The 1970s brought additional services to St. Mary-Corwin Hospital with a heliport constructed and Flight for Life service implemented. Southern Colorado Family Medicine Residency Clinic was established. Lab, Emergency Room, Admitting and Radiology all expanded including a $8.4 million addition to St. Mary-Corwin.
The 1990s continued St. Mary-Corwin’s legacy of excellent care. The hospital opened an outpatient rehabilitation center in north Pueblo.
The St. Mary-Corwin Health Foundation was founded in 1984 as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to building a healthier community through the support of the hospital’s mission and continues to support the programs and services of the hospital impacting patients both locally and throughout Southern Colorado. Generosity rooted in our legacy of care. The St. Mary-Corwin Health Foundation helps our caregivers provide quality care to our patients and their families through the generous support of our community.
The Foundation hosts its annual signature Cowboys Kickin’ Cancer engagement at the Colorado State Fair to raise awareness and funds for our Dorcy Cancer Center Patient Financial Assistance program.
The Foundation also plans our annual Flight for Life Golf Tournament to support air and ground transportation and equipment for our caregivers transporting patients.
Overall, the Foundation promotes a culture of philanthropy and healing through generosity at our hospital and throughout the community.
Why Do We Have a Foundation?
- To help support our patients
- Our patients – through the Sisters of Charity Patient Financial Assistance Fund
- Our Cancer Patients – through the Cancer Center Patient Needs Fund
- To help our employees
- Associate Financial Assistance Fund
- Wilz Trauma Symposium for education
- SMC Scholarship Fund
- To help support our hospital programs and services
- Hospital Support Fund and Greatest Needs – to ensure quality health care
- To help our community – providing quality health care close to home.
Today, in the 21st century, St. Mary-Corwin is a modern community resource facility with its own Flight for Life helicopter base (Lifeguard 4 and ground ambulances), a three-year residency program, a state of the art cancer care through the Dorcy Cancer Center, and accredited Breast Center of Excellence. Today we are just as committed as those innovations and pioneering women to maintain and nurture our faith-inspired health care.
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