About Us
History
In 1883, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia were inspired and dedicated to serve the unmet needs within Lancaster’s poor and disadvantaged community. In response, St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. The nature and structure of healthcare may have changed over the last 120 years, but the ministry to serve where a need exists has remained inspiring and still so relevant today.
St. Joseph Health Ministries was formed in 2000 to continue and build upon the health ministry that was unwavering since the hospital’s founding. For the last 11 years, St. Joseph Health Ministries has been driven by this mission to help those who need help the most – children from economically disadvantaged families whose healthcare needs have not been fulfilled.
Our Purpose
St. Joseph Health Ministries improves the health of children in need within Lancaster County. Our primary focus is children’s oral health, which we address through our children’s oral health initiative, Brush. Brush. Smile!®
Our Core Values
Our core values define St. Joseph Health Ministries and serve as our guiding principles. They are the roots or anchors from which all activities, decisions and behaviors follow.
- Reverence – Profound respect and awe for all of creation, the foundation that shapes spirituality, our relationships with others and our journey to God.
- Integrity – Moral wholeness, soundness, fidelity, trust, truthfulness in all we do.
- Compassion – Solidarity with one another, capacity to enter into another’s joy and sorrow.
- Excellence – Preeminent performance, becoming the benchmark, putting forth our personal and professional best.
