From Foundresses to Global Expansion
Our History

We are proud to be a ministry with a rich history of compassion and Catholic heritage.

Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Mission and Values come to us from the compassionate ministries established more than 150 years ago by Sisters of Bon Secours, Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.

Their dedication to excellence and service drives us to continually enhance the way that health care is delivered, promoting new levels of health care safety, quality and cost effectiveness. Our physicians, nurses, caregivers and associates embrace the calling entrusted to them, providing compassionate healing and service as modeled by our foundresses.

Building on their legacy, today’s ministry is dynamic, fast-paced, and forward-looking — innovating new ways to deliver care, meet community needs, and live out our Mission in an ever-changing world.  

It is our commitment to continuing their legacies that fuels our passion to be of service to all who need our care and help, especially the poor, underserved and dying.

Our Foundresses

1737
Grey Nuns founded: Marguerite d'Youville establishes the Sisters of Charity of Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
1824
Sisters of Bon Secours founded: Twelve women form the congregation in Paris, pioneering home nursing care.
1831
Sisters of Mercy founded: Catherine McAuley establishes the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland.
1845
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor founded: Frances Schervier beings the ministry in Aachen, Germany.
1858
Sisters of Humility of Mary founded: Marie-Antoinette Potier establishes the community in France; later moves to the US.

US Expansion

1855 - 1881
Grey Nuns, Bon Secours, and others arrive in the US to serve immigrants and the poor.
1881
Sisters of Bon Secours begin health care ministry in Baltimore.
1892 & 1898
Sisters of Mercy open first hospitals in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

System Formation

1983
Bon Secours Health System established.
1986
Mercy Health founded.
1989 - 1999
Additional sponsors join Mercy Health (Grey Nuns, Humility of Mary, Franciscan Sisters of the Poor).

Global Expansion

2018
Bon Secours Health System and Mercy Health merge creating Bon Secours Mercy Health.
2019
Bon Secours Ireland joins Bon Secours Mercy Health.
2020 - 2022
Expansion in Virginia; creation of Advantus and Accrete Health Partners.
2024
Mercy Health — Kings Mills Hospital opens (Ohio).
2025
First Solid Organ Transplant Center (Toledo); new hospital opens in Limerick, Ireland; Bon Secours Mercy Health expands to the Philippines.