More than half a century ago, three Catholic sisters from the Congregation of Bon Secours moved to Richmond to establish a hospital. For five years, they labored over every detail—formulating plans, raising money, supervising construction, purchasing equipment, hiring staff—while continuing to nurse the sick and dying in their own homes. When St. Mary’s Hospital opened its doors in the early days of 1966, Richmond learned the true meaning of the French words, bon secours. Good help. St. Mary’s was Richmond’s first Catholic hospital, its first hospital run by women, and its first racially integrated hospital. In 2016, it marks the fiftieth anniversary of its founding by looking back with pride on five decades of service to the community and looking ahead to a promising future. Its doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers, and sisters celebrate this landmark with a nod to the past and a vision of the future that inspires generations to come with the Bon Secours mission of compassionate care—“good help for a lifetime.”
About Me
I'm an Army brat who has lived in Virginia most of my adult life. I received my BA and MA in history from the College of William and Mary and taught American history and museum studies at Virginia Commonwealth University for thirteen years. I am the author of 200 magazine articles, most on history, travel, and business topics, 15 nonfiction books, and 9 historical mysteries.
More than half a century ago, three Catholic sisters from the Congregation of Bon Secours moved to Richmond to establish a hospital. For five years, they labored over every detail—formulating plans, raising money, supervising construction, purchasing equipment, hiring staff—while continuing to nurse the sick and dying in their own homes. When St. Mary’s Hospital opened its doors in the early days of 1966, Richmond learned the true meaning of the French words, bon secours. Good help. St. Mary’s was Richmond’s first Catholic hospital, its first hospital run by women, and its first racially integrated hospital. In 2016, it marks the fiftieth anniversary of its founding by looking back with pride on five decades of service to the community and looking ahead to a promising future. Its doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers, and sisters celebrate this landmark with a nod to the past and a vision of the future that inspires generations to come with the Bon Secours mission of compassionate care—“good help for a lifetime.” 
Murder Off Stage
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