OSF HealthCare is commemorating Founders’ Day on July 16, 2025 by honoring the pioneering spirit of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who established the health care ministry on the same date in 1877. This year’s celebration is especially significant as OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center officially joined the OSF HealthCare Ministry in January of this year.
The story of OSF HealthCare began 148 years ago when Mother M. Frances Krasse and a small group of Franciscan Sisters arrived in Peoria from Germany. With little more than faith and determination, they opened St. Francis Hospital in a rented house with just 12 beds. Their Mission was clear: to care for the sick, the poor, and the vulnerable with the greatest care and love.
Despite limited resources and language barriers, the Sisters’ commitment to compassionate service quickly earned the trust of the community. Their work laid the foundation for what would become one of the most respected Catholic health care systems in the Midwest.
Today, OSF HealthCare includes 17 hospitals, more than 170 care sites and a growing digital health presence, all rooted in the values of its founding Sisters. The addition of OSF Saint Katharine marks a new chapter in that legacy. Located in Dixon, the hospital’s integration into the OSF system enhances access to high-quality, Mission-driven care in the Sauk Valley.
“As we celebrate Founders’ Day and honor the legacy of the Sisters, we are reminded of the sacred promise made in 1877-to serve all with the greatest care and love,” said Jackie Kernan, president of Saint Katharine. “That Mission lives on through the dedication of our Mission Partners, who embody the spirit of the Sisters in every act of care and service.”