Our History

Where We’ve Been

For 150 years, our holistic approach has helped our patients beyond the beds and into the community. We are committed to improving the health and quality of life for children, young adults and families with medical complexities and special healthcare needs.

In 1870, when the Sisters of St. Mary established a small, 15-bed, free hospital in Manhattan for sick and needy children, they set out to provide extraordinary care to New York’s most vulnerable children. This proud tradition continues to be carried out in 2020 through the hard work and dedication of the employees of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. Now in our 150th year of operation, it’s amazing how far we have come. Despite the immense challenges that our organization confronts each day, St. Mary’s now takes care of thousands of children each day, both in our 124-bed inpatient facility and in the community, with roots extending back to that humble facility in Hell’s Kitchen 150 years ago.