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Our 80th Anniversary Year Continuing the work begun in 1925, Medical Mission Sisters around the world serve as a healing presence to those in need today. As a young doctor in India in the early 1920s, Austrian-born Anna Dengel saw firsthand the needless suffering, and death, of thousands of women and children who were denied access to health care. She knew she couldn't right this wrong alone. So, she came to the U.S. to interest women in responding to the needs she had experienced … and to those she knew existed in many other parts of the world, as well.
In 1925, Medical Mission Sisters were founded in Washington, D.C. Over the past 80 years, our mission of healing presence has extended to over 40 countries, to millions of people in need … most especially, to women and children. Our "First 4" members were from 3 different nations. Today, our 650 Sisters come from a total of 23 nations. We are active in 19 countries, on 5 continents, among people made poor, among those who have limited or no access to health care, and among those unjustly treated or oppressed. We also are involved in the introduction of low-cost alternatives to existing health care systems, and in advocacy for a just sharing of the world's limited resources.
Our mission of being "a healing presence at the heart of a wounded world" is expressed in a variety of ways: health care and education; wholeness and wellness programs; the development of women; work for justice; worship and spirituality; music and song; and creative and contemplative art. As we begin our 80th year, we remember the words of our founder, Mother Anna Dengel: "We must go forward with great optimism, the right kind, not foolish, but that optimism founded and grounded in faith, hope, and charity … God doesn't expect the most heroic, but reasonable, conscientious and good service, so that we can let our light shine, and in that way glorify God."
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