LITCHFIELD — HSHS St. Francis Hospital celebrated the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the Hospital Sisters in Litchfield with a special gala held Nov. 7. The theme was "Celebrating Our Legacy" and was sponsored by the HSHS St. Francis Foundation. Gold sponsors for the event were HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary and Litchfield Family Practice.

Sister Janice Schneider, OSF, provincial councilor, Hospital Sisters of St. Francis and former member of the board of directors at St. Francis, gave the blessing before dinner. After dinner, Patti Fischer, president/CEO of HSHS St. Francis Hospital, acknowledged the physicians, colleagues and community members who were present at the gala to support the hospital. "… Thank you for being here tonight to celebrate our legacy of 140 years of service by our Hospital Sisters of St. Francis," she said.

Fischer also talked about the first sisters and how they began their health care ministry in the Litchfield community. "Sisters Fridoline, Rosa and Augustina arrived in Litchfield — almost exactly 140 years ago on Nov. 13, 1875," she said. "We owe everything to their vision and perseverance in establishing our hospital."

She also recognized eight Hospital Sisters who attended the event. They included Sister Mary Flynn, Sister Janelle Athorp, Sister Janice Schneider, Sister Ritamary Brown, Sister Ann Mathieu, Sister Ann Pittsenberger, Sister Marybeth Culnan and Sister Maureen O'Connor.

Fischer said the hospital has seen many changes in technology over the years, "… but what has not wavered is the excellent patient care delivered every day with our four core values of respect, care, competence and joy."

At the gala, a special history display included photos of the sisters, hospital and colleagues throughout the years. It included information on the three first sisters to arrive in Litchfield. At that time there was no hospital and the sisters went door to door to provide health care. An early doctor recalled seeing these first sisters walking on visits to the sick with baskets on their arms. They did not charge their patients, so in return for medical service the people usually gave them food for themselves and for the sick. One of the early pioneers said that on occasion the sisters walked as far as Gillespie.

The sisters established their motherhouse in Springfield and began their ministry by nursing the sick and the poor in their homes. In small rural communities, hospitals were eventually built, generally within walking distance of a railroad station. The present hospital building opened in 1971.

Sister Ann, administrator of the hospital from 1969-1972, and Dr. D. Ross Billiter served as emcees during the donation challenge where funds were raised for the project. The event was attended by 260 individuals and raised $82,000 which will benefit the renovation of patient rooms on the third floor.