Bringing the Mission into Our Times

After nearly a decade away from Sacramento, Sister Sheila Browne, RSM has recently returned to the area to serve as the vice president of mission integration at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. Mercy Foundation and Dignity Health are excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with her once again. While she is responsible for coordinating the volunteer program and ensuring the spiritual needs of patients are met, she is principally a guide for the overall spirit and culture of the hospital and its employees. “I see my role as ensuring that the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy, as well as our story, is integrated into everything we do.”

Stories of the Sisters’ courage during historic flooding in 1861 provide important context for our health care ministries today. As Sacramento lay under eight feet of muddy water, the convent became the center of flood relief, even though the entire first floor was submerged. During the five months of consistent floods, the Sisters went out in boats daily, climbing in and out of second story windows to minister to the sick and dying.

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