The 50th anniversary of St. Joseph Villa, a health-care facility owned and operated by The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Health Care System, will be observed at a series of events beginning Wednesday, March 19.
A reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. that day at the center, 451 E. Bishop Federal Lane (1940 South).The public is invited. Entertainment and tours are scheduled, and refreshments will be served. Other commemorative events will be scheduled throughout the year, according to Diana Felt, chairwoman of a 50th anniversary steering committee.
"We chose March 19, the Feast Day of St. Joseph (the patron saint of St. Joseph Villa) to kick off our 50th year. We want to take this opportunity to share our history with the community, as well as let people know about the services we have available today," said Galen K. Ewer, administrator and chief executive officer.
St. Joseph Villa had its beginnings June 10, 1947, when the first contingent of the Catholic sisters arrived in Salt Lake City and took charge of the Moroni Heiner home. The sisters remodeled the residence, which later became known as St. Joseph Villa, and took in 12 elderly men and women.
"Our mission in Salt Lake City was to meet the needs of the elderly. Our focus since then has been to respond to the changing needs" of elderly and other individuals, said Sister Mary Ambrose Naughton, assistant administrator for mission services.
St. Joseph Villa, which underwent a major building and remodeling program in recent years, offers a wide variety of services. They include independent living apartments, assisted living, adult day care, transitional care, traditional nursing care and secured care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Clinical services are provided through an arrangement with Intermountain Health Care.