Tehama - The Magazine

Spring 2015

Tehama - The Magazine - Red Bluff Daily News

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St Elizabeth Hospital: A proud legacy that predates even the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak The Irish Sisters of Mercy had arrived in San Francisco in the mid-19th century, and came to Red Bluff via Yreka to open the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy on March 3, 1882. During this period the Sisters' hospital ministry began with a generous donation of dollars and land from Elizabeth Kraft, widow of Herbert Kraft, one of the largest landowners in the area. 1906-1916: St. Elizabeth Community Hospital becomes a landmark of health care. On October 30, 1906, Elizabeth Kraft deeded the Old Duncan Robertson Residence to Bishop Thomas Grace with three stipulations: First, the property had to be used as a hospital; Second, the hospital had to be operated by the Sisters of Mercy; and, Third the name of the hospital would be St. Elizabeth. Between October 1906 and September 1907, the building was renovated and suitably converted. The Red Bluff Daily News described the new hospital as "... one of the best hospitals north of Sacramento." The first patient was registered in 1906. During the evening of September 9, 1913, St. Elizabeth Hospital was destroyed by fire. The determined Sisters worked tirelessly to raise the money needed to rebuild, and Red Bluff business people helped their efforts. In 1916, a new brick and cement hospital was erected at a cost of $25,000 on the same site, i.e. the northwest corner of Sycamore and Main Streets. The new hospital was dedicated on May 28, 1916. Since this early, key period in St. Elizabeth's history, the Hospital moved from its Downtown Red Bluff location to its current site and expanded its mission and services. In 1995 St. Elizabeth became part of Dignity Health and Mercy Healthcare North. Looking forward, St. Elizabeth anticipates the need for increased services in surgery, ICU, CCU, and emergency room services. To provide greater access to healthcare, the hospital is actively pursuing recruitment of more physicians. With St. Elizabeth's dedication to their mission for excellence in healthcare, they have designed a campus and building structure that can expand with the changing needs of the community. Proud of our History. Excited about tomorrow. Hello humankindness

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