Built on tradition, driven by progress: Our story
St. Joseph's/Candler is rich in history and heritage. Our two anchor hospitals have played a critical role in the history of this region. St. Joseph’s Hospital (founded 1875) and Candler (founded 1804) are two of the oldest continuously operating hospitals in the country. With the addition of Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital (founded 1886) and The Georgia Infirmary (founded 1832), St. Joseph’s/Candler offers nearly 700 cumulative years of dedicated service to residents of the region.
Pioneering healthcare: The St. Joseph’s Hospital story
St. Joseph's Hospital began in 1875 when the Sisters of Mercy took over the operations of the Forest City Marine Hospital in what is now the historic district. Since its inception, Savannahians have trusted the care, compassion and medical expertise that have become synonymous with the St. Joseph's name. Affiliated with the Catholic Church, it is a tertiary, acute care facility situated on Mercy Boulevard on Savannah's Southside and is home to some of the most breakthrough medical technology and innovations available today. Specialty services at St. Joseph's include comprehensive cardiovascular services, critical care, orthopedics and neurosurgery, through the The Heart Hospital, The Institute for Advanced Bone & Joint Surgery and the Institute of Neurosciences, each offering the latest advancements in technology and expert clinical care.
View a timeline of St. Joseph's Hospital's history
Candler Hospital’s legacy of compassion
Candler Hospital is Georgia's first hospital (first chartered in 1804) and the second oldest continuously operating hospital in the United States. The beginnings of Candler Hospital's ministry of healing are closely associated with the history of medicine in the earliest days of the colony of Georgia. Located in Savannah's Midtown and affiliated with the Methodist Church, Candler has been long recognized as offering the finest in oncology services, pulmonary medicine, critical care, outpatient services, general surgery and women's and children's services. Candler Hospital is home to the Mary Telfair Women's Hospital and the Nancy N. and J.C Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, both renowned medical facilities offering some of the most advanced patient services in the country and has been a vital part of the Savannah community for more than eight generations.
View a timeline of Candler Hospital's history
Georgia Infirmary: A historic beacon of care
The Georgia Infirmary was the first hospital in the United States for African-Americans, as well as the first training center in the nation for African-American nurses. It opened its doors in Savannah in 1832. It also was the first Medicare-certified comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility. The Georgia Infirmary continues its rich history as part of St. Joseph's/Candler. The Georgia Infirmary is dedicated to helping elderly and physically disabled persons live as independently as possible. Georgia Infirmary programs are designed to help avoid or delay nursing facility placement, decrease hospitalizations and emphasize preventive health care. Learn more.
Championing women’s health: The Mary Telfair legacy
Born in 1791, Mary Telfair was an independent spirit who valued beauty and truth. She came from a prominent family, the daughter of one of Georgia's governors. Never one for pretention, Mary devoted her life to helping others and was a keen intellect, interested in people, art and politics. In 1875, only a few days before her death, Mary placed a provision in her will that allowed for the erection of hospital dedicated to women's health. The Telfair Hospital for Females was built in 1884 and opened two years later. It was originally located at the southwest corner of Drayton and New Houston (now Park Avenue) streets. In 1960, it joined with Candler General Hospital and later moved into its current facility in midtown Savannah. Learn more about the history of Mary Telfair and the Mary Telfair Women's Hospital.
Historic Savannah: The enduring home of St. Joseph’s/Candler
Savannah blends elegance and refinement with awe-inspiring landscapes and grand architecture that is centuries old. Its residents have a world-renowned reputation for Southern hospitality that is rare in modern times.
Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah is Georgia's first city. The small settlement on the high bluffs of the Savannah River became America's 13th and final colony, and was named "Georgia," after England's then-ruling leader, King George II.
Oglethorpe designed the city in such a manner that allowed for open streets intertwined with moss-draped public squares and other open green spaces. Today, Savannah offers the largest historic district of its kind in the country and has become a model for urban planners from around the world.
A bustling port city and home to numerous national and international companies, Savannah offers a diverse economy suitable for business and family. As the commercial hub of Southeast Georgia and the coast, the city combines metropolitan living with that of a small town, steeped in southern atmosphere and heritage.
St. Joseph's/Candler’s expansion into the Lowcountry
St. Joseph's/Candler has expanded to include facilities and services in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, an area known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The Lowcountry includes Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. In 2020, the system opened a new campus in Bluffton.
St. Joseph’s/Candler’s expansion into Southeast Georgia
As part of our goal to make healthcare accessible where you live and work, St. Joseph's/Candler continues to expand services into the region.