Calvary Hospital

Among the many people who helped establish Calvary 125 years ago today was Adrian Iselin, a financier, real estate developer, and industrialist, who donated money to purchase and renovate The American House of Calvary’s first home at 5 Perry Street in the West Village. A year after, operations expanded to No. 7 Perry Street, enabling The Women of Calvary to care for more than 30 patients. Today, Calvary cares for more than 5000 patients (and their families) annually, at our hospitals in The Bronx and Brooklyn and, with Calvary Hospice, in homes throughout greater New York. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: Adrian Iselin, sourced from The Century Association Biographical Archive

Many newspapers including the New York Journal & Advertiser reported on the opening of The American House of Calvary 125 years ago today. Describing Calvary as the first institution of its kind to be established in the English-speaking world the Advertiser called the 5 Perry Street home a refuge and a distinctly charitable institution. According to The Evening Times, Calvary foundress Annie Blount Storrs cherished for years the hope of founding such a house…. She has finally accomplished her desire and has the promise of ample support for the work to continue. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: From the New York Journal and Advertiser, June 13, 1899

Calvary foundress Annie Blount Storrs spent many years agitating and advocating for end-of-life care in New York, acquiring support from the Archdiocese of New York, medical professionals, and other community members. She said the need was great: “All praise and honor to [other foundations'] admirable efforts; but they cannot do the work of the Calvary.” In 1894, sighting 89 discharges of incurable cancer patients from Bellevue Hospital, she argued “the necessity [of Calvary] cannot be doubted.” That holds true to today. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: Calvary patients, circa 1900, at 5 Perry Street.

Before opening The American House of Calvary on this day in 1899 in lower Manhattan, foundress Annie Blount Storrs entered into the service of The Women of Calvary in Brussels, where she trained and studied for 15 months. There, she learned that Calvary patients were cared for supernaturally; treated with dignity and respect; and loved more by deeds than by words. The Brussels hospice was The Women of Calvary’s sixth home. Calvary in New York became its seventh. The eighth, in Bethlehem of Judea, opened in 1900. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: Inside the Calvary Hospice in Brussels, in 1904.

Today, we’re celebrating the founding of Calvary 125 years ago. Our foundress, Annie Blount Storrs, was inspired by a French widow, Jeanne Garnier, who founded a community of lay Catholic women in the middle of the 19th century who cared for incurable, vulnerable women dying in the streets of Lyon and throughout France. In establishing The American House of Calvary in New York – on June 12, 1899 – Annie remained faithful to Garnier’s model of charity and tenderness in the support and care of the sick. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: This depiction of Jeanne Garnier (from a 2021 biography) shows Garnier carrying a woman to The House of Calvary in Lyon, where she would be treated and loved.

Today is Calvary’s 125th Anniversary. Founded by Annie Blount Storrs, The American House of Calvary opened its doors on this day in 1899 at 5 Perry Street to lovingly care for eight patients. Annie, born in 1829 (date unknown) in Edenton, North Carolina, married New York merchant Amariah Storrs. They had six children. After losing Amariah, their three sons, and a daughter, Annie formed a community of New Yorkers – The Women of Calvary – and devoted the rest of her life to caring for the sick and dying. Thank you, Annie and happy 125th Calvary!
Picture: Inside 5 Perry Street, circa 1900.

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication ensure the freedoms we cherish today. Let us take a moment to reflect on their heroism and express our deepest gratitude. May their legacy live on in our hearts forever.

Pictured: Calvary Hospital's Memorial Day Employee BBQ
Thank you to all the staff who came to the event. We hope you enjoyed it to the fullest!

This week we celebrate Hospital Week. We'd like to thank all of our staff across all our campuses and our home hospice team. You are valued, loved, and honored for all that you do to carry on Calvary's mission of compassionate care and non-abandonment. Together as a whole, we change the lives of all who we care for and you are part of a great legacy that is 125 years strong and continuing. We thank you for without you there would be no Calvary Hospital.

This week we celebrated Nurses Week. We like to thank all of our nursing staff for all of their hard work. Together they carry on Calvary's mission of love, compassion, and non-abandonment. You are the compassionate souls who provide comfort, dignity, and support to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. Your dedication to easing suffering and enhancing quality of life is truly remarkable.

Pictured are some of our nursing staff from 3 North & South, 4 South, and 6 North & South.

Hi everyone Molly Marshmallow here!

Meet my friends Hector & Mary Jane whom I visited on National Pet Therapy Day.
As you can see Hector and I share a special connection and it was nice to put a smile on his face and Mary Jane gives the warmest hugs and has the greatest smile too.
Being able to visit the patients at Calvary to bring them joy and happiness makes me feel like the luckiest dog in the world! I love my Calvary family with all my wittle doggie heart.

Congratulations to Mony Varghese, Registered Nurse, who was presented this week with The Calvary Commitment Award!

Mony, from Kerala, India, describes Calvary as “an oasis of kindness and compassion; a place where space is provided, and an environment is created for patients to experience whole-person care that takes on board the diversity of patients and families in terms of their faith, personality, ethnic and racial backgrounds.” She says Calvary has helped her gain insights into human life, its meaning and purpose: “It doesn’t take much to be compassionate and kind to people….My patients are most important to me…. I find it meaningful and fulfilling to be at their side.” Thank you, Mony, for your commitment to Calvary!

Hi, I’m Molly (aka Molly Marshmellow), Calvary’s Therapy Dog. And since it’s National Pet Therapy Day, I wanted to tell you a little bit about me.

I’m 28, well 4 to you, and I’m a Golden Doodle. I’ve been a therapy dog for two years and love it. I also love walks, belly rubs, and kisses. But what I really really love is bringing smiles to everyone I meet. Toys! Oh, toys! My favorite toy is anything that squeaks! Everyone says I feel soft and that I’m really gentle. That’s because I have a great caretaker, Cathy! She was an RN at Calvary for 39 years. But she retired, so now she comes on visits and brings me to see Calvary’s patients and families! Cathy loves making people smile too!

Cathy told me once that a Calvary patient said I was the best thing that happened to her! That made ME smile (and wag my tail lots!)

Hey, do you know an animal that makes you feel better? Tell me about them and share a picture with me! Woof!

We are taking a moment to shine a light on all our wonderful Hospice and Hospital volunteers who provide so much companionship, empathy, and love to our patients and families and assist us in so many ways. From lending a listening ear, to reading, playing Scrabble or painting, or helping a family member -- your dedication and kindness make a world of difference to everyone. Thank you for your selflessness, compassion, and unwavering support, always!

Picture are Calvary Hospice volunteers, Cathleen and Mia, and our Calvary Hospital Volunteers Mary, Mike, and Lisa.

Today we celebrate Passover, the holiday of freedom and a time of reflection, renewal, and joy. Let us remember the resilience of our ancestors and the enduring spirit of independence. We wish your families and friends in the community our prayers that we share in our ultimate freedom together.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is an annual celebration to highlight and show appreciation for laboratory professionals. This week we celebrate our very own! Thank you for providing great support services for our patients and staff.

Calvary encourages you today to have a conversation about your wishes for care through the end of life. It’s a hard thing to talk about, but on this National Healthcare Decisions Day, we’ve put together some suggestions and tools to help, right here. Learn what advance care planning is about, living wills, and more. You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to start talking. Start today.

1) Suggestions: https://www.calvaryhospital.org/patients-families/acp/

2) Tools: https://www.calvaryhospital.org/patients-families/acp/

Happy Easter — a time of hope and renewal to be shared! Wishing you and your family a joyful celebration! The following prayer is offered by T.A. John, Director, Calvary Pastoral Care Services:

"Let us pray and work towards a world where people of diverse backgrounds may live in greater peace and harmony. That we may continue to hope and cherish the dream of Jesus that we shall overcome the forces of death and destruction in the spirit of love and reconciliation."

Today is National Doctors Day and Calvary is celebrating doctors-to-be who learn from the experts in palliative and end-of-life care at Calvary Hospital. These third-year students from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine are among hundreds of medical students and healthcare professionals who train here every year, making Calvary one of the most active teaching hospitals in New York. This month, they’re on rotation with Dr. Alma Carrington, Dr. Andrew Zaretsky, and Dr. Robert Brescia, Director of the Palliative Care Institute at Calvary Hospital (pictured, left, with students).

“What’s different at Calvary is the doctors’ time with patients and families is not rushed. They’re with them longer and deeper than anything else we’ve seen at any other hospital. I like that,” said Shreya, who never thought about pursuing palliative care until her Calvary experience.

Thanks (left to right) Yitzhar, Ava, Sam, Sara, Shreya, Joseph, and David! It was great having you here and best of luck on your studies and career!

We’ve been celebrating National Nutrition Month at Calvary throughout March and are so thankful to our hospitality and nutrition professionals – vital members of our patient care team. Thank you for feeding our bodies and for nourishing our hearts and souls!

"My goal is to ensure that every patient has a sense of normalcy and dignity through their Calvary dining experiences. "
Kayi
Clinical Dietitian II

As National Social Work Month concludes, Calvary Hospital and Calvary Hospice celebrate our Social Workers’ mission of caring. Thank you for making everything better by addressing emotional, social, and practical needs with sensitivity, love, and expertise. Thank you for your empathy, compassion, and genuine care.

"I try to treat people in the manner I would like to be treated… with willingness, respect, empathy, and common sense."
Andrew
Associate Director – Social Work/Family Care

(Here are some of Calvary’s Social Workers, from left to right: Andrew, Stephanie, Debi, Amery, Nina, Charity, and Amalie)

Thank you for sharing your talents and time at Calvay with your wonderful performance for our patients and visiting families. EnoB is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals facing hospitalization, disability, and other challenges. Through specialized crafted musical concerts and events, EnoB provides high-quality edutainment (Education/ Entertainment) that brings joy, peace, and love! You were great and we loved having you at Calvary!

Today, on International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to the Women of Calvary, the Dames du Calvaire, who established Houses of Calvary throughout France and Belgium in the mid-18th century, led by Jeanne Garnier (pictured). Madame Garnier literary lifted, off the streets of Lyon, women who were gravely ill, carried them, and cared for them at home. Calvary’s foundress, Annie Blount Storrs, inspired by Garnier and her colleagues, established the American House of Calvary in 1899. As we celebrate Calvary’s 125th Anniversary this year, we are grateful for all of our extraordinary women – then and today -- who fulfill Calvary’s mission and values, providing medical excellence, comfort, and compassion every day to New Yorkers entrusted to our very special palliative and end-of-life care. Thank you.

Calvary Hospital welcomed the Knights of Columbus today for their annual Mass & Breakfast at Calvary. Representing 26 Knights Councils in the Bronx and Manhattan, the New York Knights generously support Calvary’s life-affirming services, delivered to approximately 6,000 patients (plus their families) annually in hospital, hospice, nursing, and at-home settings throughout greater New York.

“Our relationship with Calvary is historical and vital to everyone requiring our expert medical, emotional, and spiritual care. We are very grateful to the Knights of Columbus for their commitment to Calvary,” said Timothy P. Barr, Executive Vice President of the Calvary Fund.

The New York Chapter of the Knights of Columbus has made Calvary its principal beneficiary of charitable fundraising for four decades, contributing more than $1.1 million. The two organizations were founded in 1899.

https://fund.calvaryhospital.org/2024/03/08/calvary-hospital-and-the-knights-of-columbus-a-history-of-support/

Congratulations to members of the Nursing staff who received awards today in recognition of their service to our community and commitment to Calvary’s values of comfort, care, compassion, dignity, and non-abandonment.

Kimberly Alvarez, Unit Secretary (4S) received the Excellence Award

Charles Kluvi, CCT, was presented with the Catch-A-Star Award

Latisha Russell, RN, was honored with the Daisy Award

Kindhearted Kimberly Alvarez became part of the Calvary family in 2018 as a per diem unit secretary. She took a full-time position on 4 South in 2021. Kim is a competent, reliable, and committed employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Kim’s colleagues say she is a team player and an asset to their 4 South team. “Kim keeps us all connected [and] she is our shining star!” The Calvary Excellence Award acknowledges outstanding team support and performance.



CCT Charles Kluvi, with 20 years of service, is a dependable team player who is well-liked by families and staff. Charles has received numerous letters of appreciation from patients and their loved ones about his professionalism and kindness over the years. His friends note always speaks with kindness and smiles. “Charles takes excellent care of his patients and goes beyond for the people he works with.” This Catch-A-Star Award recognizes professionals who go above and beyond in caring for their patients and families.



Laticia Russell, RN, has been an invaluable member of the Calvary Hospital team since 2003, in the Bronx and Brooklyn. A graduate of Lehman College, she has exemplary clinical skills, is unwaveringly reliable, and is committed to patients beyond anyone’s expectations. Latisha has held crucial roles as CCC, preceptor, and off-shift supervisor – always demonstrating a profound understanding of healthcare protocols and a compassionate approach to patient care. Her co-workers say Latisha fosters a positive and collaborative work environment. “We love working with Latisha, she always saves the day.” The Daisy Award recognizes nurses who are outstanding role models.

May the year ahead be filled with joy, meaningful connection, and cherished moments 🎉🥳🎆

Our matching gift campaign has been extended to January 15, 2024!

This gives us just over two weeks to meet or beat our goal!

No gift is too small; every dollar puts us closer to receiving our goal of $375,000 for our patients and families.

https://fund.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give/triple-your-gift-to-calvary-hospital-this-holiday-season-social/

At Calvary, our mission is as vital today as it was nearly 125 years ago, thanks to caring folks like you. Your generosity enables our team to deliver CalvaryCare®, the gold standard in end-of-life care in America.

Your help makes possible a wide range of programs, including bereavement support, therapeutic recreation, and musical therapy for patients and their loved ones.

Today, any gift you give will help 3X as much!

https://fund.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give/triple-your-gift-to-calvary-hospital-this-holiday-season-social/

A generous benefactor has pledged to triple the value of any gift you make by midnight, 12/31/23.

Your donation will have 3X the impact, supporting our programs for patients and families in need.

Join us in raising $125,000 to celebrate Calvary's upcoming 125th Anniversary and help us reach our $375,000 goal!

https://fund.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give/triple-your-gift-to-calvary-hospital-this-holiday-season-social/