Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1470099
2 | Health Matters: Providence Saint John's Health Center Eighty and Counting! P rovidence Saint John's Health Center has reached a major milestone: We are celebrating 80 years of providing world-class, compassionate care to our community. As we recognize this achievement and renew our enthusiasm for the future, we also are looking back on the mission-driven purpose of our founding eight decades ago. Providence Saint John's was established by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in 1942, during an era in which residents of the Westside lacked access to health care. The Sisters hoped to identify and address the community 's greatest needs through the health center and their acts of service. This focus on community benefit has continued throughout our history, and Providence Saint John's remains committed to serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. Today we are part of Providence, a large and robust health network that is rooted in the Catholic health care tradition and committed to providing leading-edge medicine with unwavering compassion and personalized care. We remain as devoted to the residents of the Westside as we did in 1942. In this issue of Health Matters, we invite you to learn more about our services and our commitment to helping you remain healthy. Although the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted regular wellness checkups and cancer screenings for many of us, now is the time to visit your doctor and get back on track with your preventive health care. On page 4, you can read our guide to preventive health screenings and access information to help you feel secure about making appointments for primary care visits and screening tests. On page 10, we share an informative story on keeping your brain as healthy as possible as you age. The brain health experts at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, an affiliate of Providence Saint John's, offer the latest, science-based services to forestall cognitive impairment and to treat dementia and neurological disorders when they develop. These men and women practice what they preach. Learn what these brain health professionals do in their own lives to foster good cognitive function. Finally, in this issue we celebrate the upcoming opening of our expanded, state-of-the-art infusion center. This space will be devoted to patients who need chemotherapy, immunotherapy or vitamin infusions. The new facility will not only expand the clinical offerings of our infusion center, but also cater to the comfort of our patients and their families. As we enter the summer season, we hope you find time to relax, recharge and refocus on your personal health goals. Take care and stay well, Michael Ricks, Chief Executive Providence Saint John's Health Center