From its inception, St. Joseph's (Hospital) Medical Center has been the beneficiary of generous philanthropic support from the local communities it serves.  Founder, Father William Bernard O'Connor, originally envisioned St. Joseph's as a home for old men.  Upon hearing of his plans, a group of local physicians suggested a hospital be built as well as the home and pledged their support.  The estimated cost of the building was $30,000 and donations were received from the entire community.  At the invitation of Fr. O'Connor, the Dominican Sisters helped him open the new 25-bed St. Joseph's Hospital on December 21, 1899.  Upon his death, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael assumed ownership and responsibility for the hospital.  

Known for its leadership in providing modern facilities and the latest in technology, St. Joseph's first expanded in 1916 and again in 1954, a new wing added 52 beds and specialized equipment donated by the Young Ladies Institute and the Soroptomist Club.  The first cardioscope in the Stockton-Sacramento area was installed in 1957.  Two years later, another addition featured new accommodations for surgery, recovery, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, emergency and 90 new patient beds.  Construction of an intensive care unit in 1962 was supported with funds donated by St. Joseph's employees.  In 1966, the hospital received $850,000 from the estate of Richard Fitzgerald - the largest single bequest ever made in the history of the hospital.  The fourth floor addition (24 beds) was completed the following year.  New state-of-the-art coronary care, maternity and emergency units, and another 90 beds were added in 1970.  The area's first CT Scanner was purchased in 1976 - a $12 million investment. 

Eight years later, a Fund Development Department was established and Elder Gunter, a former city manager served as the first Chair of the Development Council.  The Department was instrumental in its capital campaigns raising funds for the Regional Cancer Center, which opened in 1988 and the Heart Center, which followed in 1996.

That same year, in light of increasing health care challenges facing hospitals, a decision was made to align with a major health system. The intent was to find a partner with similar values and one that would support the hospital's commitment to provide services to the underserved. St. Joseph's sought a partner that would afford the hospital an advantage in both the rapidly changing field of information technology and contracting with suppliers and insurers. California based Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), a not-for-profit, values-based health system, became St. Joseph's partner. 

In March 2003, the Fund Development Department transitioned to a newly created Foundation model.  By taking this step, with its own local governing Board, it insured that all dollars donated to the Foundation would remain local.  SJMC and St. Joseph's Foundation carry out their mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care, serve and advocate for the poor, and partner with others in our community to improve the quality of life.

Located in a geographic area booming with an influx of new residents who seek affordable housing, the Medical Center keeps pace with the health needs of all those it serves.  To meet the needs of this growing population and remain on the cutting edge of medical care delivery, SJF seeks philanthropic support for cardiology, neonatology, neurology, oncology, palliative care, wound care, occupational health, behavorial health and other programs and services provided by SJMC and its affiliates.

Without community support, St. Joseph's Medical Center is challenged to fund programs and services to achieve the superb standard of specialty care available.  This funding limitation is complicated even further by growing charity and uncompensated care volume, which exceeds $38 million annually. 

The health care we enjoy today was provided for San Joaquin County by generations that have gone before us.  Many of those fund raising efforts have focused around our centers of excellence.  As we chart the future, St. Joseph's Foundation is seeking support for additional programs, services and community needs.  Our donors establish a legacy for future generations of patients who choose St. Joseph's Medical Center.