A top reason our caregivers say they continue working at Providence is because we live our Mission to serve all, especially the poor and vulnerable, every day. Living the Mission means different things to different people, but we aim to create an environment where all caregivers feel inspired to fulfill their personal calling and do the work that matters to them. Here are several examples of how we live the Mission in our workspaces, communities and beyond.

Living the Mission within our walls

Caring for all includes caring for our caregivers, and our leadership takes that responsibility seriously. “I love getting out there to talk with our caregivers about what would ease their way, and then helping to remove barriers to get their needs met,” says Suzie, chief nursing officer for Providence St. Peter and Centralia. “My goal is to meet Providence’s promise of ‘know me, care for me, ease my way’ for our caregivers. I feel a great sense of accomplishment in helping ensure the needs of our caregivers are met so they can successfully care for our patients,”

When it comes to patients, Shawndra, senior medical assistant at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington, shares how she eases patients’ way. “My goal is always to make the patients that come through the doors feel at ease with their time here,” says Shawndra. “There are times in which patients are coming in to see a provider, and it is not good news. I try to show them that I care and make them smile even through the bad news. If I make a patient smile and feel that they are important, then I have done my job.”

Living the Mission in our communities

One of the many ways we help care for the communities we serve is by giving back. Our Caregiver Resource Groups, for example, offer caregivers with similar backgrounds and experiences an opportunity to join together to receive support, mentorship and camaraderie, as well as serve related populations in need.

Somos Providence in Southern California, made up of about 120 Providence caregiver members from all over the region, actively supports members of the Latinx community. Says Somos Providence Co-Chair Laura Reyes, “Last year, one of our members donated 65 iPads to 65 kids in an elementary school. We went to the school, there was a little ceremony, and that was a really great moment. We also were able to sponsor The Wall Las Memorias in Boyle Heights and a Hispanic heritage event at St. Joseph Medical Center. In addition, we volunteered for Mission LA, donating our time on a Saturday to sort through all kinds of clothing for the homeless population, and we donated Providence hygiene kits.”

Many of our caregivers give back one-on-one as well. During the pandemic, Providence pharmacist Nancy learned one of her patients who was especially at risk of COVID-19 complications was unable to get groceries. Nancy quickly recognized the need and went to the grocery store regularly for many months to deliver groceries to the patient’s home.

Whether via a coordinated effort or one-on-one act-of-service, our caregivers continually help us remind our communities that we are there to walk alongside them in all moments of life.

Living the Mission through health care innovation

In 1856, Mother Joseph and four Sisters of Providence advanced healthcare by establishing hospitals, schools and orphanages across the Northwest. Today, Providence serves Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington—but the impact of our research and innovation benefits people and health systems around the country.

Providence researcher Michael Gough, Ph.D., member of the Integrated Therapies Laboratory at Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a division of Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon, was recently awarded an R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund research of the Dnase1l3 gene, which, until now, has never been studied as a target for cancer therapy. A testament to the caliber of research being conducted at the Institute, R21 grants provide funding for high impact, exploratory projects that have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. Read more >

Our devotion to serving all doesn’t stop there; it extends to Advocacy & Social Responsibility work, Community Partnerships, Health Care Initiatives and commitment to Health Equity.

If the Providence Mission resonates with you, and you’d like to fulfill your personal calling with us, view all jobs.