Here at Providence, we have a history of providing compassionate care through difficult times. Dating back to our roots with the Sisters of Providence and Sisters of St. Joseph, our caregivers have been on the front lines of treating epidemics since the mid-19th century.
“The Sisters of Providence were established around 1840, and what prompted the beginning of their community was a typhus epidemic,” says Sister Mary Therese Sweeney, a sponsor at Providence St. Joseph Health and a sister of St. Joseph. “It was an act of courage and a founding value to them.”
Sweeney recently participated in a Facebook Live event alongside Laurie Kelly, chief philanthropy officer at Providence, and Dougal Hewitt, executive vice president and Providence’s chief mission officer. The discussion centered around compassion during the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how Providence is extending its mission to be steadfast in serving all who are affected.
During the live event, the group talked about:
- Providence’s roots in caregiving during difficult times and epidemics
- The importance of providing compassion for our fellow caregivers
- Tools and support available for caregivers coping with COVID-19
“Everyone looks for connection, for love, for meaning,” says Sweeney. “If that’s something we’re reaching for ourselves, we can be sure that our friends, family and patients want the same thing, and it’s so simple to give it.”
Watch the Facebook Live event, compassion during the time of COVID-19, which originally aired on May 19, 2020.
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