ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – This week, OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group is celebrating 140 years in Escanaba.
“Our history began in 1883 when the Delta County Hospital was built,” said OSF President Kelly Jefferson. “They quickly determined that they weren’t going to be able to adequately staff the hospital, and so they began to look for solutions.”
The attending physician reached out to St. Joseph’s Church.
“Sister Barbara Markford had a connection with the sisters in Peoria and had heard about the work that they were doing to provide healthcare,” Jefferson said.
A group of five sisters came to Escanaba. They signed a contract in February of 1884, launching what would become a longstanding tradition of Catholic healthcare for all in Delta County.
“Our Sister Mother Frances Krasse, she made a commitment that we would serve all individuals with the greatest care and love, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Jefferson. “We serve the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—when they come to us for care.”
Years later, the sisters purchased the Delta County Hospital, which officially took on the name OSF St. Francis Hospital in 1913.
OSF has grown extensively in the last 140 years. According to Jefferson, there is much more growth to look forward to in the future.
“We’re opening our new cancer care building here later in the spring, we’re bringing on our new cath lab in partnership with Bellin Health for cardiology services, and then we’re continuing to seek partnerships or recruit for additional specialty services that we don’t currently have in this area,” she said. “It’s an honor to have had the privilege to be a healthcare provider in this community for 140 years, and we’re not stopping now.”
OSF archivists have set up an extensive historical display in the hospital’s second-floor lobby, showcasing 140 years of mutual care between OSF and the community.
“Healthcare’s kind of a difficult business and it takes a lot of resources to pull that off,” said Jefferson. “We have just received such tremendous support from this community for 140 years and really want to celebrate our accomplishment of being here for 140 years with them.”
The public is also invited to celebrate the anniversary with OSF at events throughout the week. On Thursday, February 15, St. Joseph & St. Patrick Catholic Church will hold mass at 4:30 p.m. Food and fellowship will follow from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. On Friday, February 16, the YMCA encourages community members to show their love for OSF patients by donating blood between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.
Visit osfhealthcare.org for more information on services available. Visit OSF’s Facebook page for information about upcoming events.
