LOOKING BACK—THE FIRST 75 YEARS

OUR THREAD THAT RUNS SO TRUE HEALING AND HOPE:

THE IRENE DUNNE GUILD LOOKING BACK—THE FIRST 75 YEARS

The 30-year-old guild is named for actress Irene Dunne, who rose to fame in the 1930s and ’40s. Called “the First Lady of Saint John’s,” she actively supported the hospital for more than four decades. Today the guild’s handprints can be seen all over Saint John’s. This past year the guild funded nearly $180,000 of improvements, including many nursing-related services and equipment. The Irene Dunne Guild is a proud part of our heritage.

Sister Maureen Craig, SCL

In depression-era Kentucky, country folk talk about the thread that runs so true—a thread of hope and faith that times would get better because God loved them, and they tried in their daily life to do His will. Here at Providence Saint John’s we too can sing and hold on to our thread that runs so true—the thread of Mission, of caring for God’s people, bringing hope and healing. This thread stretches back to the 1930s when a group of doctors and local citizens dreamed of a Catholic hospital on the Westside of Los Angeles.

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth met with these men and agreed that, yes, they would come out to the oceanside and build a hospital. World War II began in the midst of the building. Even so, the Sisters, medical staff and employees opened Saint John’s on October 25, 1942. The thread has taken many turns in its journey of healing, but always it has run true—true to the values of compassion, service and excellence combined with the latest approaches in medical care.

The Health Center has been blessed with generous donors who share the mission that began 75 years ago. Our friends have come to us from many professions and backgrounds. Their devotion and commitment to excellent health care enable Saint John’s to play a major role in the lives of the people of Southern California. Our trustees come to us with open hearts and open hands. Their generosity and devotion enable Saint John’s to continue its Mission. They have shared with us the good times and the difficult days. Together, we hold dear the values of excellent care, dignity and devotion. We are grateful for all those people who are our community.

With their help and love we continue the thread that runs so true.

Above: Sister Marie Madeleine Shonka, Ann-Marie Streibich, Irene Dunne, Virginia Zamboni

Below: Members of the Think Pink committee of the Irene Dunne Guild at the 2017 Think Pink for Women’s Wellness event held on May 17. Front row, from left: Bonnie Borenstein, Melinda Casey, Think Pink co-chair Loraine Sinskey, Think Pink co-chair Sandy Line, Ann-Marie Streibich. Back row, from left: Jane Loh, Teddie Tindall, Caroline Maclay, Jo Ann Klein, Belinda Ballash, Robyn Fuchs and Christine Ofiesh

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Irene Dunne Guild, please contact the IDG at www.irenedunneguild.org/contact-us.html.