Carondelet Legacy Stories
Celebrating 145 Years
Carondelet has a long and rich history that spans decades. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the congregation was originally established in France. The Sisters came to the United States in 1836 to serve the diocese in Carondelet, Missouri.
In 1870, seven Sisters of St. Joseph traveled from San Diego to Tucson to open a school. In 1880, the Sisters opened St. Mary’s Hospital, Arizona’s first hospital. In 1961, they opened St. Joseph’s Hospital to provide services for Tucson’s growing east side. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet began managing Holy Cross in 1981 and assumed ownership in 1987.
Mary's Nurse Legacy
On May 22nd, St. Mary's honored a true pillar of healthcare, Mary Davignon (Clinical Documentation Improvement), as she celebrates an incredible milestone—50 years of dedicated service. Starting as a newly graduated RN, Mary quickly adapted to the rigorous demands of the medical, surgical, rehabilitation, and hemodialysis unit, caring for 40 patients nightly. Her journey through healthcare led her from the ICU, where she spent 30 years, to various roles, including IV team leader, PACU manager, and burn care specialist.
Today, Mary continues to innovate in Clinical Documentation Improvement, bringing her experience and passion for nursing into every task. Her career at St. Mary's has been a profound journey of learning, growth, and deep personal connections. Mary's dedication is a beacon of inspiration, embodying the spirit of commitment and care. St. Mary's looks forward to celebrating her legacy and the continued impact she will have on the community and beyond.
Thank you, Mary, for 50 remarkable years. Here's to many more moments of innovation and care! Celebrating Carondelet Health Network's 145th anniversary, we are excited to feature a slice of our rich history in each newsletter. We invite all associates to share their stories and photos from their time with our health organization. Your memories are our legacy; together, we can paint a vivid picture of our storied past for future generations.