Mission Hospital was founded in Mission Viejo in 1971 by a group of proactive, physicians who realized the need for accessible, quality medical care to serve the growing community. Over the decades, Mission Hospital has continued to develop new programs and services to meet the community’s ever changing needs. In 1993, Mission Hospital partnered with CHOC Children’s to provide pediatric services and a year later, became a member of the St. Joseph Health, which is a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. In 2009, Mission Hospital expanded its geographic footprint to include South Orange County’s coast line by acquiring Mission Hospital Laguna Beach.

Sisters of St. Joseph - A Legacy of Caring

St. Joseph Health is a ministry sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Ministry, who originated in 17th century France with the unique vision of a Jesuit priest named Jean-Pierre Médaille. He visualized an order of religious women who would venture out into the community, seek out "the dear neighbors" and minister to their needs.

In 1912, a small contingent of the Sisters of St. Joseph came to Eureka, California, to establish a school. With the influenza epidemic of 1918, the Sisters temporarily abandoned their education efforts to care for the sick. They realized the small community desperately needed a hospital. In 1920, the Sisters opened St. Joseph Hospital of Eureka.

Today the Sisters continue their work through the sponsorship of acute care hospitals, home health care, rehabilitation programs, primary care clinics and many community outreach and wellness programs. In each community we touch, we reach out to care for the poor and vulnerable.

Watch a video on the heritage of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and take a virtual tour of the Motherhouse.

The following statement of philosophy is based on the core values, tradition and care of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange to promote understanding and unified efforts throughout the organization in fulfilling the mission of healing. The philosophy is the foundation for the organization, which makes it operational on a daily basis.

Life is a gift from God to be cherished and respected in all its stages from conception through death to life eternal.

In respecting the sacredness of life, we strive:

• To act in accordance with the ethical principles and teachings of the Catholic Church
• To protect each person's right to life and ensure the terminal patient's right to a dignified death
• To offer spiritual support and comfort to those who face death or are suffering
• To educate ourselves and the public about medical-ethical issues

Every person has dignity and worth because each is a unique creation.

In respecting personal dignity and worth, we strive:

• To provide quality care for all patients without distinction
• To honor each person's right to privacy, confidentiality and self-determination
• To ensure equality and opportunity and just labor practices for employees

In respecting each person's uniqueness, we strive:

• To provide individualized and person-centered care
• To ensure that spiritual care is available for each patient
• To support and appreciate one another and contribute to an environment that recognizes the contribution of each person

Patients deserve quality health care services in a professional and well managed environment

To ensure quality services and professionalism, we strive:

• To operate sound management principles which allow the mission to be promoted with efficiency and effectiveness
• To vigilantly guard and manage our resources with strong stewardship and accountability
• To foster training and growth in skills, competence and professionalism
• To maintain an environment in which responsibility and accountability are clearly defined and performance is fairly evaluated
• To encourage and recognize creativity and excellence in the performance of service

An environment of unity and harmony contributes to healing and wellness

In contributing to a harmonious environment, we strive:

• To collaborate as a health care team in caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and staff
• To foster open communication that includes active listening and consistent sharing of information
• To maintain attitude and behavior that promotes a spirit of cooperation and hospitality
• To cooperate with other facilities and agencies to meet the health care needs of the communities we serve