Sisters of the Holy Cross Franklinton Fund
“Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern needs and respond. We stand in solidarity with the poor and powerless”
That’s the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, whose legacy of compassion and caring has been at the heart of healthcare in central Ohio for more than a century. It’s a legacy we’re proud to honor through The Sisters of the Holy Cross Mount Carmel Franklinton Fund.
The Sisters of the Holy Cross Mount Carmel Franklinton Fund has been established to honor the legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and to provide a meaningful way to recognize the many leadership contributions of Sister Barbara upon her retirement. This fund will used to support programs that serve the needs of vulnerable populations on or around the Mount Carmel Franklinton campus. That includes:
- Community health & well-being programs
- Franklinton Emergency Department
- Mount Carmel College of Nursing
- Simulation Lab
- Programs that support those suffering from addiction
- Programs focused on housing the unsheltered
Mount Carmel remains committed to Franklinton, the holy ground where the ministry began more than 130 years ago. Please join us in honoring that commitment, celebrating the legacy of the Sisters, recognizing the countless contributions of Sr. Barbara and investing in the future of the Franklinton campus by donating to the Sisters of Holy Cross Franklinton Fund today.
The Story of the Sisters
The Sisters arrived in Columbus in 1886 to set up a hospital in Franklinton.
With no furnishings, equipment,supplies or food, they reached out to the community for donations even advocating with the City of Columbus to secure free water and electricity. Within two weeks, they were able to open Hawkes Hospital. As the need for quality care grew over time, so did the Sisters’ contribution. They created the Mount Carmel School (later College) of Nursing and turned the farmland they owned east of interstate 71 into what is now Mount Carmel East. Today Mount Carmel is one of the largest integrated health systems in the community, providing people centered care at five hospitals, an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, freestanding emergency centers, outpatient facilities, surgery centers, urgent care centers and primary and specialty care physician offices across the region. The Sisters’ core values and exceptional compassion remain Mount Carmel’s bedrock 135 years later.
Recognizing the Leadership of Sister Barbara Hahl, CSC
One of the most important caretakers of that legacy is Sister Barbara Hahl, CSC. Sr. Barbara, who recently celebrated her 60th anniversary in the Order of the Nuns, has served in a variety of senior leadership roles at Mount Carmel for nearly 40 years. On December 31, 2020, she will officially retire back to the Holy Cross motherhouse in South Bend, Indiana as the last member of the order to serve as a leader of the health system. Throughout her career, Sr. Barbara has been a voice for those without one and continued teaching countless others to do the same. Her passion for caring for our most vulnerable—through hundreds of thousands of patient encounters, free of charge—leaves a legacy in the health system and across central Ohio that will live on for generations.