In 1650, the Sisters of St. Joseph are founded by Father Jean-Pierre Medaille, a Jesuit priest in LePuy, France. He has the vision to organize an order of religious women who, rather than remaining safely cloistered in a convent, would venture out into the community, seek out 'the dear neighbor' and minister to their needs. In 1836, the first six missionaries travel to St. Louis, Missouri.

More than 60 years ago, over two thousand people stood in the rain to see the opening of the new St. Jude Hospital. In the words of one newspaper, This is the day we have been waiting for. All of Orange County rejoices over the completion of the ultramodern St. Jude Hospital.

There was tremendous excitement over the high-tech features of the new hospital. Going far beyond the community standard at the time, it offered the latest advances in care including state-of-the-art operating areas and a new concept in medicine called the recovery room. Even the kitchen offered the newest equipmentand when the former chef of Knotts Berry Farm was hiredone newspaper called St. Judes patients the best fed in the country.

The new hospital was the result of a remarkable partnership between the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orangewho dreamed of setting a new standard of care in Orange Countyand a community who was eager to help make it possible. Neighboring cities, businesses and residents all found ways to raise money to make St. Jude Hospital a reality. The Assistance League held book review parties; the Cub Scouts organized a circus; the Womens Club hosted bridge parties; and the Kiwanis created a comedy show. From Northrop Aircraft, who auctioned off lunches with Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart, to the Rotary Clubs sold-out dinner dance, there was an almost endless variety of fundraising events.

Within days of opening, every bed in the new hospital was filled and St. Judes reputation quickly grew. The best and brightest doctors began coming from all over, attracted to St. Judes mission of excellence and the opportunity to practice the highest quality medicine.

St. Jude was like a magnet. This was where physicians from the nations top medical schools and training programs wanted to be, explains Joseph Lawton, M.D., retired family medicine physician, who joined the staff in 1960. What St. Jude offered was truly unique: a first-class hospital where the values of excellence and compassion were felt by everyone who walked through the doors.

Despite the impressive technology, it was this difference of the heart that truly distinguished the new hospital. The sisters values and their profound sense of fulfilling a higher calling created an atmosphere where extraordinary care became not just possible but expected, explains William Lenahan, M.D., a retired St. Jude physician for 45 years, beginning the day the hospital opened.

The sisters could be found on every floor, from Sister Augustine supervising the surgery rooms to Sister Mary managing the brand new X-ray department. Long before the phrase female executive or continuous improvement even existed, the sisters ensured excellence was St. Judes defining quality. Their faithful service to others and to God inspired St. Judes doctors, nurses and staff to go beyond curing illnessand touch lives.

While much has changed in the last 60 years, some things have remained the same. St. Jude is still one of Southern Californias most technologically advanced hospitals. And the sisters life-affirming mission and profound sense of fulfilling a higher calling still create an atmosphere that makes extraordinary care possible.

In 1650, a small group of women went into their neighborhood to build relationships with the community, understand their needs, and, together with their neighbors, find solutions. These pioneers were the Sisters of St. Joseph founders and leaders who guided St. Joseph Health and its ministries. Nearly 400 years later, that passion and tradition continues through our Community Benefit Program.

Each year, St. Jude Medical Center invests time and resources into local communities to increase access to health care for vulnerable populations and provide local residents with the support they need to make their neighborhoods healthier and safer.

Through the development and implementation of the key strategic elements of Community Health, Healthy Communities and Advocacy, we work to generate positive health outcomes, foster relationships and cooperation, and empower individuals to care for themselves and others.

St. Jude Medical Center offers special programs through our Senior Services, which address the unique needs of older adults and their families in Southern California. Our mission is to help low income seniors stay healthy, independent and active by providing comprehensive programs and access to services. Senior Services provide transportation, dedicated post-treatment counselors, in-home safety, depression avoidance and treatment resources, grief counseling. Our Medicare Insurance Plan Specialist can give free information on all your questions.

Talking with your family, friends and your physician about your wishes for medical care at the end of your life is called advance care planning. It's a way for you, your loved ones and your physician to discuss the kinds of care you want and don't want at that time. You can also specify the care you would want if you become unable to speak or make decisions for yourself, due to a coma or other medical condition. When you write down your wishes, this kind of plan is called an advance directive. We encourage all patients to complete an Advanced Care Directive before being admitted and bringing it with you so we may honor your wishes for care.

The best time to start the conversation about the kind of care youd want if you were in an accident or became seriously ill is now. Let us help you think about the care youd want, talk to your loved ones about your decisions, choose your advocate and complete an advance directive.

To help reduce the risk of falls and enable low income seniors to stay in their own homes longer, St. Jude offers free in-home safety assessments and provides referrals for needed resources such as home repairs and handyman services.

The free Caring Neighbors program supports low income seniors with friendly home visits and phone calls. Home visits for seniors can also provide help with errands, light housekeeping and exercise. With this support and by staying connected with others, seniors can avoid premature placement into out-of-home care or nursing facilities.

The free Care Navigation Program helps seniors return to life at home after a hospital stay. A dedicated hospital staff member known as a Care Navigator will stay in touch with the patient for one to two months after their release from the hospital, to assist in the transition. The program includes a number of free services, such as:

Please join us for a free one-hour class every 4th Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. At 130 W. Bastanchury Rd. The class helps you connect with resources for understanding legal documents and procedures, managing in-home care, insurance concerns and community resources and services. To register, please call 714-446-7035.

Caregiving descends upon us in all sorts of ways-through sudden crises or a series of small but unsettling mishaps and warning signs. You may be the only person to step in or you may simply be the linchpin of a large network of family members and friends willing to help. Whatever the situation, you may not be sure of the next step. Or even the first step. Whether you are in the middle of a crisis and decisions have to be made quickly or planning ahead for an elderly loved one because of unsettling warning signs, the following questions, suggestions and information may be helpful in a variety of ways. Download the2018-2019 Senior Resource Guide.

Health Information Management (HIM) Release of Information is centralized at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. There is no longer an HIM/Medical Records department located at St. Jude Medical Center, CHOC at Mission, Mission Hospital Mission Viejo or Mission Hospital Laguna.

According to the State of Californias Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, the hospital must receive a complete and properly executed Authorization before providing a copy of the patients records to anyone, including the patient. In certain cases, a patients physician or psychologist may also be required to approve a request. Authorizations signed by a patient representative must include a copy of the durable power of attorney, guardianship, etc.

Most requests are processed in 7-10 business days. Large requests may require additional time and are processed by the hospitals contracted vendor. Please note there may also be a fee associated with large requests. If you have any questions regarding the fees, please call 714-771-8000 ext. 15080

Arrangements can be made to pick up copies of records in person at the St. Joseph Hospital location in Orange. Photo ID is required. The patient may sign a letter authorizing another individual to pick up the medical records. This individual must present the letter, patient authorization and provide photo ID.