The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, Sr. Judy Weirick and Sr. Judith Ann Karam at SJMC two years ago.
The Sisters of Charity Health System are turning sole ownership of St. John Medical Center over to University Hospitals. Last week’s announcement of the move underscores the legacy of love and excellence the Sisters are leaving to the community.
Their impact was best expressed by the honorable Leo M. Spellacy, retired judge of the 8th District Court of Appeals, in a letter to cleveland.com
“St. John Medical Center is a gem, and is successful today because of the foresight and commitment of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine,” says Spellacy. “I’m proud to have been a founding board member of this hospital. I saw firsthand how the Sisters – under leadership of Sisters Mary Patricia Barrett, Mary Ann Andrews and Judith Ann Karam – exemplified courage and respect as they brought partners together to create St. John Medical Center as a preeminent health care provider in Westlake. They are visionaries.
Some of the Sisters of Charity who served SJMC so well.
“Transferring ownership to UH was not an easy decision. The Sisters love this hospital. Yet they recognized this opportunity for St. John to grow as a flagship hospital of UH, thus expanding Catholic health care on the West Side. I am impressed with the Sisters’ strength to make this selfless decision.
“I hope the community recognizes how the Sisters have, for 164 years, courageously served this community. I know many of these gifted women. Their healing mission through St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center and other ministries vibrantly continues.”
