PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center celebrates 100 years of service to the community

Ketchikan, ALASKA – February 22, 2023, marks the 100^th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace’s caring service to Ketchikan. On February 22, 1923, Bishop Joseph Crimont dedicated the Little Flower Hospital to the community of Ketchikan. For 100 years, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace have brought compassionate care to the First City. Now known as PeaceHealth, the organization remains committed to serving southern Southeast Alaska with the same courageous compassion of our founding Sisters.

As PeaceHealth marks 100 years of excellence in healthcare in Ketchikan, we acknowledge the countless people and entities that have made this hospital and our community thrive. PeaceHealth Ketchikan caregivers are the backbone of our work. The commitment each extends to caring for members of our community has made Ketchikan a better place to live.

While the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace advocated for the latest technology and training, the community continually stepped up to raise the funds necessary. Philanthropic giving has consistently provided Ketchikan with some of the best technology and equipment available for a community of our size. Time after time, Ketchikan has been praised for is exceptional care.

The City of Ketchikan has been an instrumental partner in ensuring safe, compassionate care is available to the local population. The City of Ketchikan built and owns the current medical center facility operated by PeaceHealth, first opened in 1963. Over the past 60 years, the City of Ketchikan has remained central to the provision of quality healthcare to Ketchikan through the maintenance and expansion of the hospital and clinics. In 2021, PeaceHealth and the City of Ketchikan signed a new lease outlining responsibilities between the entities and solidifying that continued relationship.

In celebration of the deep relationship between the community and PeaceHealth, we invite the community to participate in several community-wide activities:

• View our documentary premiering on February 22 at 6:00 p.m. on KPUtv channel 611 and later online on Facebook and YouTube.
• Join us for Museum Midday on April 6 at the Tongass Historical Museum.
• Stop by the medical center to view our historic display to be installed later in the spring.
• Mark your calendars for August 11 for a community BBQ co-hosted with the City of Ketchikan.
• Follow us on Facebook.com/PeaceHealthKetchikan for historic posts and activity updates.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has more than 15,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.