100 years for Sisters of Providence in Alaska.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska this Month - Brief Article

More than a century ago, when rumors of three of the largest gold nuggets ever found in Alaska brought hoards of eager prospectors to Nome, two Roman Catholic priests arrived there to find urgent need for social welfare and health provisions for the bursting community. The priests had heard of the Sisters of Providence and the 29 hospitals, schools, orphanages and other establishments created by the organization since its founding in Montreal, Canada, in 1843.

It was clear Nome needed courageous help, and they found it by persuading the Sisters of Providence to establish a hospital there. Four women began the journey across the rugged Northwest terrain.

"They came from Montreal," said Karina Jennings, strategic communications program manager at Providence Alaska Medical Center. "They went by horseback, train and boat. On June 10, 1902, they got to Nome."

But when the boat arrived, due to an outbreak of smallpox, the sisters remained quarantined aboard the vessel for three days. Once they were allowed to leave the boat, they stepped into Nome with little fanfare.

"They went to a church because they didn't know what else to do," Jennings said. Once they had settled, however, the women purchased a two-story building for about $5,000 and established the Holy Cross Hospital, where they could provide shelter, care and safety to those in need. To fund the hospital, the sisters set out on foot, dog sled and on horse to the mines surrounding Nome, selling "tickets" for care. On the ticket it read, "Let a few dollars of your wages go to Holy Cross Hospital, and when you get sick or injured, you will find in its wards the best treatment you can get in Alaska."

This month celebrates the 100th year of the Sisters of Providence in Alaska. The dedication of the Sisters of Providence created a long history and allowed the organization to go on to build the largest health care system in the state, Jennings said.

With the 100th anniversary of the Sisters of Providence in Alaska, Gov. Tony Knowles has named this year "Sisters of Providence Year." The Archdiocese of Alaska, the Sisters of Providence and Providence Health System held a community celebration in April to honor the anniversary and more...