The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee, Inc. provides direct support for
Charity, Health Care and Education through Catholic organizations
serving those in need in East Tennessee.
The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee was formed in 2011 to continue to provide support for the ministry begun by the Sisters of Mercy with the opening of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1930. It was initially made possible through funds provided by the sale of Mercy Health Partners to Health Management Associates.
The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation seeks to assist the needy and vulnerable of East Tennessee by engaging in general charitable undertakings and endeavors, including but not limited to providing and supporting health care and health care education initiatives, counseling, shelter, nourishment, parochial and secondary education, spiritual education and enrichment, and undertaking other programs to relieve suffering and distress and to improve the human condition.
History:
St. Mary’s Hospital opened in Knoxville on April 22, 1930 under the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters were able to open the hospital despite the impact of the Great Depression on fundraising efforts. The hospital expanded many times over the years, both in size at its original hospital campus and in building and acquiring additional hospitals. St. Mary’s Health Health System eventually operated seven facilities. In 2008, St. Mary’s Health System merged with Baptist Health System to form Mercy Health Partners. However, in 2011, Mercy Health Partners was sold to Health Management Associates, Inc. As a result of the sale, and with money negotiated from that sale, the Diocese of Knoxville established the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation to provide support for the ministry begun by the Sisters of Mercy with the opening of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1930.
In the spring of 2013, the St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation, with the Diocese of Knoxville, purchased a mobile medical clinic in hopes of continuing the legacy of St. Mary’s Hospital. The clinic visits the underserved areas of East Tennessee and provides primary medical care. Visit the St. Mary's Legacy Clinic site for more.