It was JUNE 1953 when a tornado ripped through Iosco County, killing four area residents and injuring nine others. With a power failure throughout the county the hospital which would have opened in about two more weeks was forced to an early opening to care for the injured. Their generator enabled them to have the only lights in the county for a period of time. The healthcare facility first envisioned by the Tawas Hospital Association and its founder, Dr. John LeClair, was a reality. On that stormy night of June S, 1953 St. Joseph Health System was born.
Joseph Barkman, Historical Society Founder and lifelong preserver of artifacts and other memorabilia , and owner of Barkman Lumber Co. donated the land for Tawas Hospital, thereby becoming the first benefactor. W. J. Wigen of Saginaw was hired as architect. The hospital building was constructed in 1951 and 1952 and as bulldozers arrived and workers toiled at the corner of the two busiest thoroughfares in town-M-55 and US 23, community members saw the dream take shape.
In the 1940's community leaders had a vision to build and operate a hospital in northeast Michigan. They dreamed of a health care system close to home not an hour and a half down the road.
Key to the vision was Dr. John D. LeClair (the "town dentist", as his son John A. LeClair, now describes him) and the newly formed Tawas Hospital Assn. They began the process, working with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, MI to raise the $300-650,000 needed for construction to begin.
On March 26, 1953, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at the hospital to receive the keys, begin organizing the facility and hire and train employees. An open house in May showcased the new hospital to local residents, administrative folks and association members and the Sisters of St. Joseph led residents on tours of the facility.
Under the direction of Sister Rita Louise the hospital opened its doors to the injured a bit earlier than scheduled and the rest is history. The Historical Society Board's trustee, Katherine Zelmer, has been an award wining hospital auxiliary member as has our super volunteer (always ready to pitch in) Edna Nunn. Board members Arlene Salisbury and Rosemary Klenow. are also long time auxiliary volunteers, and Trustee Mary Harpold had the 2000th baby born at TSJH. Stephanie Wilkuski (see Wilkuski room at museum) was one of the original local Grey Ladies. Her uniform (with three hemline adjustments) is on display at the museum.
As the health needs of the community have grown over the past five decades , so has St. Joseph Health System. St. Joseph Health System is a part of Ascension Health, a national Catholic -based health care organization. Rooted in the ministry of Jesus as healer they are committed to the values of service to the poor, reverence, integrity, wisdom, creativity and dedication.
Joseph Barkman, Historical Society Founder and lifelong preserver of artifacts and other memorabilia , and owner of Barkman Lumber Co. donated the land for Tawas Hospital, thereby becoming the first benefactor. W. J. Wigen of Saginaw was hired as architect. The hospital building was constructed in 1951 and 1952 and as bulldozers arrived and workers toiled at the corner of the two busiest thoroughfares in town-M-55 and US 23, community members saw the dream take shape.
In the 1940's community leaders had a vision to build and operate a hospital in northeast Michigan. They dreamed of a health care system close to home not an hour and a half down the road.
Key to the vision was Dr. John D. LeClair (the "town dentist", as his son John A. LeClair, now describes him) and the newly formed Tawas Hospital Assn. They began the process, working with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, MI to raise the $300-650,000 needed for construction to begin.
On March 26, 1953, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at the hospital to receive the keys, begin organizing the facility and hire and train employees. An open house in May showcased the new hospital to local residents, administrative folks and association members and the Sisters of St. Joseph led residents on tours of the facility.
Under the direction of Sister Rita Louise the hospital opened its doors to the injured a bit earlier than scheduled and the rest is history. The Historical Society Board's trustee, Katherine Zelmer, has been an award wining hospital auxiliary member as has our super volunteer (always ready to pitch in) Edna Nunn. Board members Arlene Salisbury and Rosemary Klenow. are also long time auxiliary volunteers, and Trustee Mary Harpold had the 2000th baby born at TSJH. Stephanie Wilkuski (see Wilkuski room at museum) was one of the original local Grey Ladies. Her uniform (with three hemline adjustments) is on display at the museum.
As the health needs of the community have grown over the past five decades , so has St. Joseph Health System. St. Joseph Health System is a part of Ascension Health, a national Catholic -based health care organization. Rooted in the ministry of Jesus as healer they are committed to the values of service to the poor, reverence, integrity, wisdom, creativity and dedication.