Ogden Regional Medical Center honors Benedictine sisters

Intermountain Catholic

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Five of the Sisters of Saint Benedict who served in Ogden attend a ceremony that unveiled two monuments describing their order's history in Ogden and naming the 150 sisters who served at St. Benedict's Hospital, which became Ogden Regional Medical Center. IC photo/Christine Young

OGDEN — The Sisters of Saint Benedict were surprised and filled with tears of joy and gratitude as two monuments were unveiled in their honor and a memorial courtyard was dedicated in their name outside the front doors of Ogden Regional Medical Center Oct. 17. 

The Benedictines had been a presence in Ogden for almost 70 years, but the remaining sisters returned to their founding monastery in St. Joseph, Minn. in June. However, the Ogden Regional administration called them back to Utah for one day to honor them, said Craig Bielik, hospital communications director.

"It wasn’t easy keeping a secret from them, but we managed to pull it off after they arrived a day early," Bielik said. "Having the sisters leave has been difficult, and we weren’t sure that we had the opportunity to properly honor the contributions they have made to our community and our hospital."

Mark Adams, Ogden Regional chief executive officer, fought back tears as he described the monuments. "The names and years of service of each sister … is engraved on [the three stones] to forever be a representation of the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Benedict," he said.

The second monument offers the history of the sisters, who first journeyed to Utah from Minnesota in 1944 to establish St. Benedict’s Hospital, which became Ogden Regional Medical Center in 1977.

"These monuments are lasting tributes … a reminder of the sisters’ unique and compassionate touch they gave to their fellow man every day," said Bielik. "The sisters are irreplaceable, and we are trying to continue the legacy they left."

Benedictine Sister Danile Knight, who had lived in Utah for 49 years, said when the plane touched down in Utah she began to cry.

"I was home and we were welcomed with open arms," she said.

Before they left in June, the sisters were honored with a number of memorials, accolades and parties, so the recent ceremony at the hospital was "far beyond anything any of us ever expected," Sr. Danile said. "Yet I have to think … this is for the 150 sisters since 1946 … who cared for the sick as if they were Christ in person, which is part of our rule … and I’m confident that we can continue to look to the employees here now … and know you will continue the legacy of the sisters, and we will be praying for you."

During the ceremony, Vickie McCall, Ogden Regional Board of Trustees chairwoman, said the sisters’ gentle but focused ways not only produced results, but influenced others to lend themselves to charity causes, she said.

After the sale of the hospital, "the sisters established Saint Benedict’s Foundation, which over the years, gave more than $5.5 million to many nonprofit organizations primarily helping women, children and families in crisis," said McCall.

The foundation ended when the sisters moved to Minnesota, but the final distributions will continue under United Way of Northern Utah.

Dr. Bryan Peterson, medical staff president, said the sisters’ primary purpose, "to give glory to God through service to humankind," was realized when St. Benedict’s Hospital began in 1946 at 3000 Polk in Ogden.

Many of the sisters held management positions and they started the St. Benedict’s Hospital School of Nursing, which graduated more than 300 nurses, Peterson said.

Countless advancements in health care were spearheaded by the sisters’ perseverance, such as the Val A. Browning Radiation Therapy Center for cancer patients in 1977 and the procurement of a $1 million donation from the Walter C. and Beryl M. Swanson Foundation in 1985 for the Single Day Surgery Center, said Peterson.

"I thank you for leaving us such a heritage and a tradition, and I am grateful to hear that you continue to pray for us," Peterson said.

Benedictine Sister Stephanie Mongeon complimented the hospital administration, saying "… you always made us stretch and had trust and faith in us that we could come forth."

Also as a tribute to the sisters’ legacy, Ogden Regional Medical Center sponsored a fundraising dinner Oct. 17, with the proceeds going to the charities the foundation supported.