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Virginia Mason Franciscan invests in nonprofit that educates, empowers minority youth
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has partnered with Build 2 Lead, a nonprofit in northwest Washington state, to support minority youth through education and empowerment initiatives. The collaboration aims to expose young people to various career paths, including those in health care, fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry. By investing in community-based programs, the health system demonstrates a commitment to addressing social determinants of health and promoting equity.
By: Julie Minda
Religious directives at Catholic hospitals complicate emergency care for pregnant women
This PBS NewsHour segment investigates how Catholic hospitals' adherence to religious directives can impede emergency care for pregnant women. It features the case of Anna Nusslock, who, at 15 weeks pregnant, experienced a premature rupture of membranes. Despite the life-threatening nature of her condition, Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California, declined to perform an abortion due to Catholic ethical guidelines. Nusslock was eventually transferred to another facility for care. The report highlights the tension between religious healthcare policies and medical standards, especially in rural areas where alternative options are limited.
By: Sarah Varney and Rachel Wellford
Aiming to limit damages, Catholic hospital argues a fetus isn’t the same as a ‘person’
Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa (CHI) is defending itself in a medical malpractice lawsuit by arguing that the loss of an unborn child does not constitute the death of a "person" under Iowa law, thereby limiting potential noneconomic damages. The lawsuit stems from the stillbirth of a 35-week-old fetus, Eloise, after CHI allegedly failed to diagnose and treat preeclampsia in the mother, Miranda Anderson. CHI contends that the state's malpractice cap on noneconomic damages applies, as the loss of a fetus is not recognized as "loss or impairment of mind or body." This position contrasts with Catholic ethical guidelines, which affirm the sanctity of life from conception. CHI has since withdrawn this argument, reaffirming its commitment to the belief that life begins at conception.
By: Clark Kauffman
Moments of hope and transformation: reflecting on the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
Cathy Jenkins reflects on the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, highlighting the profound moments of compassion and transformation witnessed in healthcare settings. She shares stories of caregivers' dedication, such as a wife tenderly feeding her husband who suffered a life-limiting stroke, and healthcare workers' joy in providing comfort to patients. Jenkins emphasizes that faith doesn't shield from suffering but offers a response through hope, love, and accompaniment. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel and Pope Francis's message, she underscores the capacity for change and renewal even in the face of illness.
By: Cathy Jenkins
Health care access and the common good: What should Americans expect?
This article examines the tension between the moral imperative of universal healthcare access and the realities of the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the denial of medical claims by insurers and the ethical dilemmas faced by Catholic healthcare providers. It underscores the Church's teaching that healthcare is a human right, as articulated by Pope John XXIII in Pacem in Terris and Pope Francis in 2022, who emphasized that "health care is not a luxury, it is for everyone." The piece also features insights from Jesuit Father Michael Rozier, who discusses the challenges of aligning Catholic social teaching with the complexities of modern healthcare delivery.
By: Kimberly Heatherington
Catholic Health invites staff to document sacred encounters
Catholic Health in Buffalo, New York, encourages its staff to share brief narratives of “sacred encounters”—moments of unexpected grace or connection in clinical settings. These stories, ranging from humorous to deeply moving, are collected on the system’s website and shared at leadership gatherings. One example recounts a nurse comforting a distressed patient after her shift, leading to the patient’s peaceful sleep. Chaplains like Rev. Cynthia Short and Rev. Geoffrey Hord view these moments as manifestations of divine presence in everyday care. The initiative aims to highlight the spiritual dimension of caregiving and reinforce Catholic Health’s mission of holistic, compassionate service.
By: Dale Singer
Unity Health Toronto welcomes Altaf Stationwala as new President and CEO
Unity Health Toronto, one of Canada's largest Catholic healthcare networks, has appointed Altaf Stationwala as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2025. Stationwala brings extensive expertise in health system operations, integration, and digital transformation. Unity Health Toronto comprises St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Providence Healthcare, and is renowned for its comprehensive patient care, research, and education initiatives.
By: Unity Health Toronto
Mission director discusses delicate balance of workplace safety, human dignity in mental health crises
In the March 2025 issue of Catholic Health World, a mission director addresses the challenges healthcare facilities face in ensuring workplace safety during mental health emergencies while upholding the dignity of patients. The piece highlights the role of mission directors in guiding ethical responses to such crises, and how the Catholic tradition could guide thinking about how to care for patients with mental health issues.
By: Valerie Schremp Hahn
‘I'll kill them': outrage at nurses' anti-Israeli taunt
Two nurses in New South Wales, Australia, are facing criminal and health prosecutions after a video surfaced on social media showing them making violent and discriminatory remarks against Israeli patients. The video, which drew widespread condemnation from political, medical, and community leaders, led to urgent audits of patient care at their workplace. In the video, one nurse claimed to send Israeli patients "to hell," while the other stated intentions to deny treatment and harm them.
By: Jack Gramenz, Luke Costin
Catholic health team from Pakistan visits Mater to find ways to help serve the sick and poor
A Catholic health team from St Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan, visited Mater Mothers' Hospital and Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane as part of a fact-finding mission to enhance healthcare services in Pakistan. The visit, led by Father Robert McCulloch and hospital administrator Eric Siraj, focused on learning from Australian medical practices to implement feasible improvements in Pakistan despite financial limitations. The partnership is bolstered by overseas funding, particularly from Australia, which has enabled significant advancements.
By: Staff Writers
National week marked from Feb. 2-8 showcases impact and value of Catholic health care
The Catholic Health Alliance of Canada is celebrating the sixth annual National Catholic Health Care Week from February 2-8, 2025. The 2025 theme focuses on the interconnectedness of all creation and the essential link between human health and the health of the planet, inspired by Pope Francis' teachings in "Laudato Si’." The event emphasizes the role of Catholic health care in promoting environmental stewardship and improving community health. It also calls for reflection on Catholic health care’s contributions as a compassionate and innovative force in the health system, advocating for a society where all individuals are valued and cared for.
By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski
Catholics, Hippocrates, and reforming American medicine
George Weigel criticizes the current state of American medicine, highlighting how the willful participation of medical professionals in practices such as abortion and euthanasia contradicts the Hippocratic Oath's original intent to preserve life. Weigel calls for a reformation of American medicine to uphold life-affirming values, advocating for the involvement of well-catechized Catholic medical professionals and organizations like the Catholic Medical Association to lead these changes.
By: Geroge Weigel
Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives
Some hospitals, including Indiana University Health, have started asking patients about their spiritual lives as part of their healthcare, recognizing the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical health. This initiative, supported by research indicating the health benefits of spiritual practice, aims to provide holistic care. The program pairs patients lacking social support with community members for meaningful interactions. This approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, crucial for long-term recovery and quality of life.
By: Ben Thorp
Documents show Alberta’s Catholic healthcare body paying private staffing agencies nearly $110 an hour per nurse
Covenant Health in Alberta is significantly reliant on private staffing agencies to fill nursing roles, paying nearly $110 per hour for registered nurses, which is more than double the top wage for unionized nurses. This has led to the projection that Covenant will have spent over $20 million on private nursing contracts from April 2022 to April 2025. The high costs are partly due to shortages in recruiting and retaining skilled health professionals, with Covenant spending considerably more than budgeted across several healthcare facilities.
By: Jeremy Appel
St. Joseph hospital seeks dismissal of abortion lawsuit, cites religious freedom
Providence St. Joseph Hospital is contesting a lawsuit by the California Attorney General, which claims the hospital denied necessary abortion services, violating state law. The hospital argues its religious beliefs, protected under the First Amendment, justify its actions. The lawsuit centers on an incident where a woman was denied an abortion despite medical advice, leading to severe health risks. The hospital maintains that its Catholic identity and adherence to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services dictate its healthcare practices, even when they involve denying abortions that medical professionals deem necessary for patient health.
By: Thadeus Greenson
Asia/ Pakistan- Expansion of the Catholic Hospital in Hyderabad: at the service of the unborn and the terminally ill
St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan, managed by the Catholic Diocese, is expanding to include ten new rooms and a nursing area by Christmas 2024, enhancing its services for underprivileged patients. Father Robert McCulloch, Vice-President of the Hospital Board, celebrates this development alongside the Bishop of Hyderabad, Samson Shukardin, who inaugurated the new ward. The hospital, noted for its free home palliative care service for terminally ill patients of all faiths, also includes the St. Elizabeth School of Midwifery, which offers education and employment opportunities to local girls. This expansion is supported by international donations, emphasizing the hospital's commitment to human dignity at all stages of life.
By: Agenzia Fides
Catholic healthcare providers can't be forced to do gender surgeries: U.S. Court
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that the Biden administration cannot compel Catholic healthcare providers to perform gender transition surgeries, citing a violation of their religious freedoms. The courts found that enforcing this requirement under the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits sex discrimination in healthcare, infringes on the religious rights protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This ruling highlights the ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding healthcare provisions and religious beliefs in the context of gender identity and transition-related care.
By: Daniel Wiessner
24 Hour Catholic Health Hotline, a ministry of love
The Archdiocese of Port of Spain’s Catholic Health Hotline provides a 24-hour spiritual and emotional support service, offering a compassionate safety net for those facing illness, aging, grief, and distress. Designed as a ministry of love, it aims to bring the Church’s love, mercy, and compassion to individuals in need, ensuring that no one faces their darkest moments alone. The hotline offers a wide range of services, including prayer, home and hospital visits, Sacraments like Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and the Anointing of the Sick. Azania Durham, the hotline's administrator, describes it as a "living testament" to the Church's dedication to spiritual care, offering support through prayer, companionship, and the Sacraments at any time.
By: Kaelanne Jordan
Kenya Expands Taifa Care Program, Collaborates with Faith-Based Healthcare Stakeholders
Kenya's Ministry of Health is making strides toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the expansion of the Taifa Care program and the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA). Faith-based healthcare organizations, especially in rural areas, play a vital role in delivering care where other services may be absent. The Ministry emphasized ongoing collaborations with faith-based stakeholders, acknowledging their importance in ensuring equitable healthcare access. Challenges, including delayed payments, were addressed during discussions with key healthcare leaders, with the Ministry committing to improving operational efficiency and mobilizing resources to address these issues.
By: Devdiscourse News Desk
Some ex-steward hospitals are abandoning their catholic roots. Here’s what it means.
Several former Steward Health Care hospitals are breaking from their Catholic roots following a bankruptcy sale. The Boston Archdiocese, which had controlled the hospitals until Steward's 2010 acquisition, is now demanding these hospitals change their names and return religious artifacts like crosses and statues, as the new owners choose not to maintain Catholic practices. This shift means the hospitals are now free to offer services such as elective abortions, birth control, and in vitro fertilization, which were previously prohibited under Catholic doctrine. The changes reflect a significant departure from the hospitals' Catholic identity.
By: Nik DeCosta-Klipa