Our Mission & History

We are a regional health system in California sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, a Society of Apostolic Life serving the sick and those who live in poverty.

Explore Our History, a rich legacy of advancing and strengthening the healing mission of the Catholic Church by providing comprehensive, excellent health care that is compassionate and attentive to the whole person; body, mind and spirit.

View our Historical Timeline (PDF) of our System showcasing more than 150 years of mission service to California. This timeline displays as a PDF file. Click here to download a free version Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Mission Statement

In the spirit of our founders, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Daughters of Charity Health System is committed to serving the sick and the poor. With Jesus Christ as our model, we advance and strengthen the healing mission of the Catholic Church by providing comprehensive, excellent health care that is compassionate and attentive to the whole person; body, mind and spirit. We promote healthy families, responsible stewardship of the environment, and a just society through value-based relationships and community–based collaboration.

Vincentian Values

The Charity of Christ urges us to:

Respect
Recognizing our own value and the value of others.

Compassionate Service
Providing excellent care with gentleness and kindness.

Simplicity
Acting with integrity, clarity and honesty.

Advocacy for the Poor
Supporting those who lack resources for a healthy life and full human development.

Inventiveness to Infinity
Being continuously resourceful and creative.

Read about and purchase “Steel Frames,” a beautiful publication especially written and produced by the Daughters of Charity for the Centennial of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of April 1906. The book includes a collection of photographs, as well as telegrams and letters written by the Sisters to their headquarters in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  “Steel Frames” is available at O’Connor Hospital Gift Store, San Jose; Seton Medical Center Gift Store, Daly City; and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Bookstore, San Francisco.

Courtesy of the Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

How to buy:

Books sell for $14.95 plus tax and shipping/handling. They are available at the Daughters of Charity hospitals: Seton Medical Center Gift Shop, Daly City (650) 991-6527; and O’Connor Hospital Gift Shop, San Jose
(408) 947-2830. Steel Frames is also available at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Bookstore, San Francisco (415) 775-6626.

Proceeds from sales of “Steel Frames’ will be used for the Daughters of Charity Missions at the service of the poor.