Deaconess Associations Incorporated

Our History In 1888, the Cincinnati community started a “sick house” staffed by Methodist deaconesses who traveled from Germany to answer the local Evangelical Protestant Society’s call to care for the sick. Deaconess Hospital was the first “general” hospital in the city and also operated the city’s first training school for nurses. In 1902, a new facility was built on Straight Street. Throughout the 20th century, Deaconess expanded its campus and services to accommodate the changing science and technology of healthcare. In 2011, the progression of healthcare toward prevention, wellness and outpatient care prompted Deaconess to transition from an inpatient delivery model to one that caters to the diverse needs of today’s fastest-growing populations – providing care that is more accessible and cost effective. Today Deaconess’ Senior Services’ division offers residential and nursing care within five communities in Ohio and Kansas. Its Home Care division delivers medical and rehabilitative care to orthopaedic surgery patients and assistance with daily living to homebound patients. Deaconess is equally active as “social investor” through the Deaconess Foundation. Recognizing that other community providers are well qualified to satisfy specific healthcare needs in a specific community, the Deaconess Foundation provides financial support to those providers, particularly those which focus on the underserved and at-risk members of the community. Since 2012, Deaconess has awarded over $10 million to a variety of community organizations that cater to vulnerable youth, the homeless, the addicted, the elderly, and other populations who are in need of a stabilizing support system. In 1888, Deaconess introduced its Christian-based healthcare mission to Cincinnati. After 125+ years, the organization’s passion and commitment to that mission has not wavered.