When Mary Walsh began her personal crusade against sickness among the poor of New
York City in the late 1800s, she never could have envisioned that her work would
be carried on for so many years by the caring hands of the Dominican Sisters Family
Health Service. Officially recognized as its own order of nuns by the Catholic Church
in 1910, the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor have been helping people in need
for over 100 years. In 1961, they began doing their good works in Hampton Bays,
and the organization has grown by leaps and bounds ever since. In September, they
will hold a 50th anniversary gala event to celebrate their work and to raise funds
to continue financing their operations.
Walsh was an Irish immigrant who was forced to leave her home in County Limerick
Ireland due to the horrible conditions caused by the potato famine. Orphaned at
a young age, she arrived in New York at 18 and found work as a laundress with wealthy
families there. One night in 1876, she found a poor young family suffering from
sickness and starvation huddled together. She did everything in her power to help
them, and lost her employment because of it. She was touched by the desperation
she saw all around her in the tenements of New York City, and decided to continue
her charitable work, along with a small group of women.
This group dedicated themselves to helping the ill people of the city who were living
in poverty. In 1910, the Catholic Church recognized this group by creating an order
for them; The Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor was born. They were the first Catholic
community-based visiting nurse service. They provided nursing care, as well as education
for families so they could learn to meet their own medical needs, and maintain their
health without costly medical intervention.
In the 1920's, a kind benefactor donated a house in Hampton Bays to the Dominican
Sisters so that the hardworking sisters would have a place to rest and relax in
the fresh air. The women were grateful for the home, and wanted to give back to
the community. Over time they began offering their help to local people in need,
teaching them to care for themselves just as they had done in New York City. They
soon realized that they were as badly needed on eastern Long Island as they had
been in the tenements.
In 1961 they officially established the Dominican Sisters Nursing Service. This
organization continued to offer free care to those in need, and was supported by
local benefactors and organizations, as well as by the Dominican Sisters religious
community. It is the establishment of this program 50 years ago that is being celebrated
this year. Over the years, the organization has expanded to serve more of the people
of Suffolk County. There are now offices in Hampton Bays, Medford, and East Hampton.
The Dominican Sisters Family Health Service is a visiting nurse service that provides
much more than traditional health care in the home. They provide typical in-home
nursing care for the elderly and chronically ill. Available personnel include registered
nurses, licensed practical nurses, personal care aides, home health aides, physical
therapists and more. The mission of the organization is to "provide compassionate,
comprehensive, and family focused home care to persons in need, including the poor,
marginalized, and the elderly."
Their purposes are wide-ranging, yet are still very close to the ideals set forth
by Mother Mary Walsh all those years ago; to provide comprehensive at-home health
care, to teach patients and families how to effectively care for themselves, to
help coordinate health care with other providers, and to find ways to provide the
non-medical but crucial services not provided by other agencies.
One of the special aspects of this organization is an interfaith program called
Charity in Action, in which volunteers provide non-medical services to help the
poor, frail, ill, and elderly. Volunteers visit people and assist them with shopping,
light housekeeping, transportation to appointments, and similar tasks that allow
people to maintain their independence. These types of services are not provided
by traditional insurance or Medicaid and Medicare the way medical needs are, so
they are provided free-of-charge by the DSFHS. Providing in-home medical care and
other services to those in need who cannot afford traditional care has always been
the hallmark of the Dominican Sisters, and continues to be an important part of
their work. Volunteers also run the three Dominican Sisters Thrift Shops located
in Hampton Bays, Sag Harbor, and Greenport.
The 50th Anniversary Gala on September 23rd will honor the past and present visiting
nurses who have worked with the DSFHS over the years, as well as the past and present
committee members of Charity in Action. The theme of the gala, being held at the
Westhampton Country Club, is "Continuing a Legacy of Care, Compassion, and Commitment."
The semi-formal event will be hosted by Carol Silva of News12 and will offer a full
cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. During the cocktail hour there will be a raffle
and a silent auction featuring many upscale prizes, including wine-tasting excursions,
interior design consultations, and gift packages for Foxwoods Casino. Works donated
by Cutchogue artist Jaqueline Penney will be available for purchase. Dinner and
dancing will follow, with entertainment by the Majic Band.
Many businesses and individuals have made generous contributions to the event, and
have purchased space in the event journal. Tickets and sponsorships are still available
for the event. For more information call 631-728-0937.
