ST. JOSEPH MERCY HOSPITAL'S HISTORY

The idea of a catholic hospital was not a new one and over the years was being considered by different people, but for one reason or the other, had to be put aside. It was at a group discussion of the "Sword of the Spirit" that the idea of a catholic hospital was once again considered and a challenging decision was taken to build a catholic hospital. They envisioned that this hospital would have as its philosophy, the commitment to serve the community by making available competent health care to those who sought it, irrespective of race, colour or creed, mindful of the teachings of Jesus Christ, Gospel values and the spiritual/physical nature of humankind endeavors. The dignity and individuality of every person was to be honoured by rendering this care in a compassionate and Christian manner.

As a result of this decision, a committee was setup to bring this project into being. The committee was comprised of doctors, lawyers and businessmen, all members of the "Sword of the Spirit" movement. Thus, in December 1943, with St. Joseph as it patron and a donation of three thousand dollars, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginnings. With the war in progress, it seemed an unlikely time to embark on such a project. All medical personnel were being recruited for other fronts and prices of essential commodities were at an all time high. However, the committee persevered with great courage despite all these obstacles.

In March 1944, on the Feast of St. Joseph, the committee was successful in getting the Sisters of Mercy to undertake the Administration of the newly founded Hospital, thus solving one major problem for the committee. At the same time, property then known as Colonna House, already run as a private nursing home came into the market for sale. This property was purchased and renovated and expanded and is still the familiar frontage of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital unto the twenty-first century.

The procurement of equipment at that time seemed impossible, but through the United States War Time Hospital, then setup here, contact was made with a Medical Buying Organization stated by Cardinal Spellman in New York.

The staff consisted of three Sisters of Mercy, all of whom were Registered Nurses, eleven fully qualified nurses and midwives and three doctors. Sister Mary Margaret was chosen as the Administrator of the new Hospital. While she was not a Guyanese, she was certainly no stranger to Guyana having previously worked for many years at the Mahaica Hospital for leprosy patients. In 1964, shortly before her death, she was honoured by the Queen of England who gave her the M.B.E. Award.

The School of Nursing was officially opened by Sr. Mary Kateri with two classes of twenty students each. Sr. Kateri returned to the U.S.A. at the end of the first year and was replaced by Sr. Mary Generosa who spent almost two decades in charge of the School of Nursing. Under her training the school had a great many successes. The percentage of passes at the Nurses State Final Examination never being less than ninety percent. The nurses were and still are of every race and creed and have served Guyana and other parts of the world.

The hospital began with sixty-four beds and four years later the building of a new wing brought the number of beds to one hundred and twenty-five beds plus twelve bassinets for newborn infants.

Firms and individuals gave unstintedly in the war years. A donation list in a publication of the Catholic Standard in 1944 shows figures of donations running from two hundred and fifty-six dollars to less than a dollar. The total amount collected being one hundred and thirty-one thousand, five hundred and forty three dollars. Without the help of all those generous persons, both here and overseas, the hospital would not have survived.

An extract of an unsolicited tribute in the form of a public broadcast from a Methodist Minister, Mr. C. G. Erry is as follows, "The Catholic Hospital was an idea originated in a single mind, translated into action. It promised relief to the suffering. No one is going to quarrel because it is a Catholic Hospital. The Jew did not object because it was a Samaritan that bounded up his wounds. Suffering does not question the source of its relief, it thanks God for those who bring the relief. The Hospital exists for the community. Behind the idea, one hears the Voice that speaks through Eternal Ages – "In as much as you did it unto the least of these, you had done it to me." A human citation generously given.

The hospital was officially opened August 15, 1945, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and by coincidence, the first day of peace for nearly six years. Following the opening ceremony, was a visitation of Government Officials, Legislation Council, the Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown and finally, members of the public.

The first days of the hospital were trying and anxious days. Routines had to be established and the Sisters and staff were to be complimented on their splendid and untiring efforts, their success in overcoming difficulties and going without any serious mishaps.

Over the years St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has cared for the sick and injured of every race and creed. It was legally incorporated as the Catholic Hospital on September 20, 1944 – a non-profit association. It continues its work as it began, aided by benefactors at home and abroad. Active among these have been the Women’s Auxiliary (now called Mercy Auxiliary) here in Guyana and the Sisters of Mercy both in Guyana and in U.S.A. The majority of employees in the Nursing Service are graduates of the Hospital’s School of Nursing. In 1994 another wing with modern facilities, was added to the building, thus beginning another era of the modernization of the hospital.