Mount Carmel Foundation Annual Report 2016 Annual Report | Page 6

were establishing a school for boys and men — known
today as Notre Dame University. The Sisters started
teaching the local girls and, in 1855, moved the school —
Saint Mary’s College — to where it is today in Indiana.
The onset of the Civil War created a new need, with the
Sisters serving as nurses for wounded soldiers on both
sides on the U.S. Navy’s first hospital ship, The Red
Rover. They were the pioneers of the U.S. Navy Nurse
Corps, volunteering up and down the Mississippi River.

Q•

Sister Barbara, tell us what this statement
means to you: In order to understand where you
are, you must first understand where you’ve been?

A

Everyone has a history. Oftentimes, we fail to look
•at our history and learn. Our history determines
who we are today. We at Mount Carmel are people of
faith. Our history is built around our faith. We meet
those we serve where they are and understand that we
are all spiritual beings. We allow our history of ministry
to guide our service.

Q
A•

Tell us about the Sisters of the Holy Cross and
• why they’re so important to Mount Carmel?

The Sisters began in France after the French
Revolution. Sadly, clergy were being put to death
and the need for missions and teachers was great.
In 1843, Father Moreau sent four Sisters to northern
Indiana to assist the Holy Cross priest and brothers who

Then in 1886, the Sisters arrived in Columbus to set
up Hawkes Hospital. With no furnishings, equipment,
supplies or food, the Sisters reached out to the
community for donations. Within two weeks they were
able to open Hawkes Hospital, even advocating with the
City of Columbus to secure free water and electricity!
At one point there were more than 60 Sisters
operating the hospital. They embodied the mission of
Mount Carmel and carried out the values of respect,
compassion, excellence, social justice and caring for
the underserved.
The need for quality care grew over time, and so did
the Sisters’ contribution. They created the Mount
Carmel School of Nursing and turned the farmland
they owned east of interstate 270 into what is now
Mount Carmel East.

Q•
A•

How has the vision of the Sisters remained
strong over the years?

The vision of the Sisters was woven into
everything they did. It was transferred to
everyone they encountered. Their presence was evident,
their values were solid and the vision of serving the
underserved remains strong, even today.

Q•
A•

At one time, Mount Carmel was nicknamed the
“Ark.” Why?

Mount Carmel was established on high ground.
When the Olentangy and Scioto rivers would flood,
the community families would bring their belongings and
their cattle to the hospital for safety and food, the same
safety found on Noah’s Ark. Since the Sisters owned the
hospital and were not paid a salary, they would use the
revenue from the hospital to purchase food and supplies.
This was the impetus of the Sister Rose Thomas Fund,
which today provides resources for colleagues in need.

4

Mount Carmel began in 1886 as a four story,
18 room building known as Hawkes Hospital
located in Franklinton.