Mission
Founded by the Sisters of St. Ann, we are a Catholic health organization dedicated to continuing the healing ministry of Jesus by providing compassionate, loving care to adults of all faiths who require long-term support. We are committed to meeting the physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of all those we serve in partnership with their families, friends, and other health care providers.
Vision
Values
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, and guide our care and interactions.
Compassion & Caring
Meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our residents.
Respect & Dignity
Fairness & Justice
Competence & Excellence
Responsibility & Accountability
Managing resources effectively and maintaining transparency in our actions.
Hope
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
At Mount St. Mary Hospital, we value equity, diversity and inclusion. We embrace the uniqueness of all individuals and believe that every person has the right to equal treatment. Together, we are strengthened by our diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization requires us to be collaborative. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive environment by continuous and active engagement of all our staff and volunteers. We create, support, and maintain a living and working environment free from discriminatory and intimidating behavior. We continuously work to address issues related to race, gender, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, and socioeconomic status, among other dimensions of equity and inclusion. In the spirit of reconciliation, we strive to develop and enhance relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
Philosophy
The philosophy of Mount St. Mary Hospital emanates from the Hospital’s healing mission, and is inspired by the values of the Sisters of Saint Ann. We embrace a person-centred philosophy in the care, services, and operations we deliver.
We believe that:
- Our core values of Compassion and Caring, Respect and Dignity, Fairness and Justice, Competence and Excellence, and Responsibility and Accountability, best reflect the healing ministry of Jesus and all who are involved with Mount St. Mary Hospital shall be guided in their actions by these core values.
- First consideration is given to the needs of the residents.
- Holistic, quality care for each resident is best provided through an interdisciplinary team that supports the centrality of the resident.
- Our primary purposes are to relieve suffering, support a sense of hope and to create a supportive environment where residents can attain their maximum potential or a peaceful death.
- Palliative care which provides compassionate care directed toward improving the quality of life for the dying is integral to our Mission.
- Special emphasis on spiritual care services for residents of all faiths is a primary need.
- All residents are entitled to undisturbed time and a place where they may have privacy when their desire for privacy is consistent with their care program, and when it does not endanger their safety. Privacy includes the security of personal possessions.
- Family, friends and the wider community provide an essential contribution to the well-being of the residents.
- Each employee and volunteer makes an important contribution to the quality of life for our residents.
- Employees who are involved in decision-making about their work and working environment are more creative and accountable in providing quality care and solving problems on behalf of residents, co-workers, and visitors.
- In order to serve our community we must be fiscally responsible, committed to environmental sensitivity, and work in collaboration with other components of the healthsystem.
History
Mount St. Mary Hospital’s history is rooted in the pioneering work of the Sisters of St. Ann, who arrived in the gold rush boomtown of Victoria, BC, in 1858. Their commitment to serving the community led to the opening of St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1876, followed by the establishment of a School of Nursing in 1900. Over the next century, the Sisters extended their compassionate care across British Columbia, operating five additional hospitals.
Mount St. Mary Hospital opened as an annex to St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1941. Despite the challenges of wartime, the hospital provided for its residents through careful economies and the generosity of local benefactors, a tradition of community support that continues to this day.
In 1965, Mount St. Mary Hospital transitioned into an extended care facility, offering skilled nursing services and 24-hour medical supervision for patients who needed long-term care but did not require acute hospital care. By the turn of the century, the need for a new, modern facility became apparent, and resulted in the construction of a new Mount St. Mary Hospital on the site of the former School of Nursing at the corner of Fairfield and Quadra Streets. This new facility, officially opened in March 2003, was designed with a multi-dimensional model of care that continues to reflect the values of compassion and excellence instilled by the Sisters.