The hospitals of the Sisters of Mercy: can they survive and maintain their mission?
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Abstract
Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland. The unique characteristic of the Sisters of Mercy as a community of women religious is their vow of "service to the poor, sick, and ignorant." Based on a belief in the inherent dignity and worth of each human person, this vow is a particular expression of the option for the poor which is a guiding principle for the moral life according to Judeo-Christian tradition.
The Sisters of Mercy, as sponsors of 92 acute care hospitals in the United States, constitute an important segment of the private, not-for-profit health care system. Within their hospitals, they render compassionate and holistic care according to a consistent ethic of life. Yet, their hospital ministry is threatened by the political and socioeconomic constraints of the 1980's.
As both government and business seek to control health care expenditures, the numbers of poor, uninsured, and underinsured persons increase dramatically. In turn, the community hospital is challenged to balance its own survival as an institution against its responsibility to care for the most vulnerable members of society. Can the community hospital survive and maintain its historical mission?
In this study, the author analyzes data from mail questionnaires, on-site visits, and interviews to present a profile of the Sisters of Mercy and their hospitals to elucidate the manner in which they continue to respond to the needs of the poor with the charism of mercy. As women, the Sisters of Mercy bring their inclusive feminine perspective to the interdependent network of religious community, hospitals, Church, and society. The author utilizes various models of organizational analysis to illustrate these interrelationships and their affects on decision-making processes.
The author presents the Sisters of Mercy as women who challenge Procrustean categories within the Church and society; the Mercy hospitals as a model of other community hospitals; and the option for the poor as a valid paradigm for decision-making in health policy.
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Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Boston University
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