CHW was founded in 1986 when the Sisters of Mercy Burlingame Regional Community and the Sisters of Mercy Auburn Regional Community merged their health care ministries into one organization.  The Sisters forged this union to enhance their charitable capabilities, expand the Catholic health care ministry, and promote social justice. 

Since 1986, other congregations and their health care ministries, as well as non-Catholic community hospitals have joined Catholic Healthcare West.  In addition to the two Sisters of Mercy congregations, CHW is now sponsored by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian, Michigan; the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston, Texas; the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, California; the Dominican Sisters of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity in Redwood City, California.

Many hospitals in the CHW family have been serving their communities for well over 100 years. This year, CHW is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco.

Learn more about our history on Our Hospitals' Founding Stories and on the CHW Timeline.