History
History
Spirituality of Compassion, Shepherding Leadership, Innovative Excellence, Superior Expertise
The History of Perpetual Succour Hospital
The Humble Beginnings in 1936
​The year 1936, was indeed a blessed year for PSH for many reasons. Monsignor Gabriel Reyes could not easily forget his wondrous recuperation from a major surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital, Iloilo City. He had to invite the Sisters to come to Cebu to take care of his own sick, poor, parishioners. Thus, three pioneering Sisters: Sister Teresa de Jesus Fernandez, SPC, Sr. Carmen Artiaga, SPC and one young professed Sister-nurse came and begun their Apostolate with admirable determination and courage. They labored day and night to give a semblance of a hospital, the wooden dilapidated house near the Archbishop’s residence.
The Outbreak of World War II in 1941
The healing touch of the Sisters’ presence was short lived, however, because in 1941, the second world war broke out. Japanese planes bombed the City and the flames of conflagration swallowed the small hospital. Panic was felt everywhere.
The sisters were last to evacuate Cebu, living in nipa huts they continued serving and caring the sick, pregnant mothers, and children. Mother Alice, SPC, the Provincial Superior had been looking for the Sisters. When she found them in the mountains, she brought them to Iloilo City aboard a Japanese cruiser.
The Rebirth in 1950
Years passed, and the memory of the Sisters’ courage, special care, and tranquil-daring left an imprint in the minds of the Cebuanos. They wanted them back. Thus, in 1951, Monsignor Julio Rosales, requested the Sisters to return to Cebu. Sister Josephine de Jesus, SPC represented the first batch of returnees. The government-owned library in Jones Avenue was leased and converted into a hospital. Dr. Manuel de Veyra assisted in the negotiation and became the first Medical Director. With the rebirth came the new name... PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL.
The construction of the Hospital at the present site in 1958
Patients came pouring in. The hospital needed expansion. Mother Charles de Jesus, SPC purchased the land on June 13, 1958 and the construction started right away. On July 26, 1958, the cornerstone was blessed and on April 5, 1959 the 100-bed capacity hospital was blessed. It was a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving to the Lord.
The Era of Specialization in the 1990’s
The past years are marked with compassionate and quality health care, bringing Christ to the sick and underprivileged. The hospital has been blessed abundantly. In the 90’s, a new era dawned in Perpetual Succour Hospital - The Era of Specialization.
With the establishment of the Cebu Heart Institute, it has pioneered significant advances in education and services being first again, outside Metro Manila to have performed Open Heart Surgeries to 13 charity patients, to mention, a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, in 1994, by a team of cardiovascular surgeons. The Cebu Heart Institute, Services, and Treatment Inc, or CHRISTI FOUNDATION, with his eminence Ricardo J. Vidal, as the Honorary Chairman, subsidized the annual open-heart surgeries of indigent patients, in cooperation with the Hospital.
The Decline in the 1960’s
PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL grew slowly and quietly, as if to gain momentum. It was beset with the consequences of the economic crisis and inflation, but this did not prevent the sisters from continuing to search for ways to serve the populace, especially, the least, the lost, and the last.
The Breakthroughs in the 1980’s
In their hearts, they had immense trust in God’s compassion and love. The growth of PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL began taking place at a breathtaking speed. In April 1986, the first Kidney Transplant outside Metro Manila, was performed in Perpetual Succour Hospital, under the leadership of Dr. Ruben Maguad and Dr. Alan Simporios. Dr. Mariano Tolentino succeeded Dr. Manuel de Veyra as the Medical Director of the hospital in 1980. It was also in October 29, 1986, that the Endoscopy Unit was inaugurated with Dr. Teresito Gabutin as Director. The department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Ultrasonography and Pulmonary, were also established.
The Era of Digitalization from 2000 to present
The advent of the new millennium brought waves of innovation sweeping PSH to unprecedented heights with its state-of-the-art diagnostic and interventional facilities to better improve healthcare services to the patients.
The demand of the time called for a Cancer Center, most especially one that provides special consideration for patients who can’t afford treatment. The Sisters in the administration took this responsibility seriously and in December 2, 2002, the Cebu Cancer Institute was blessed.
The hospital kept pace with these changes by making available a healthscape where various services are provided for the convenience of its clientele, in a one-stop-healthshop—the SPC Medical Specialty Center. Blessed in 2003, it houses the Cebu Cancer Institute, Nuclear Medicine Department, Advance Rehabcare & Sports Medicine Centre, Vein Therapy Clinic, Cebu Urologic Institute, Neuroscience Center, Diabetes & Nutrition Center, ACES Eye Referral Center, Bone & Joint Center, PSH Eye Surgicenter, Skin & Aesthetic Institute, Dental Center and the Doctor’s clinics. All are equipped to serve our patients with utmost care.
2016 and Beyond: The Hospital of the Future
Today, PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL is still making a difference in the world of health care. True to its legacy as one of the most advanced health care facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao, the administration of PSH will soon open this 14-storey medical facility named “Our Mother of Perpetual Succour Specialty Center.” The building, which bears the name of our Lady, accentuates the healing of the spirit and body through prayer and care for the afflicted. It shall offer innovative medical-surgical services by a team of competent specialists.
For PSH, this time is now—marked by rapid infrastructure change and innovations, and advancement in medical science, to ensure the delivery of health care services, positioning itself for a better competitive advantage. With a record of breakthroughs and excellence in different specializations, PSH embarks on Integrated and Minimally Invasive Surgery in General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Neurology, and Gynecology, as it quietly but steadily continues to create extraordinary waves responding to the emerging needs of a very sophisticated 21st-century world.
EIGHTY YEARS have passed, and since then, PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL, true to its beginnings, faithful to its mission and inspired by the charism of its founders, has become the HOSPITAL FOR ALL, regardless of race, beliefs, spiritual affiliation, economic status, or political leanings. Envisioned to provide quality care to all patients, an institution of service to those who need it most, it lives and breathes in the Lord’s name. Gently through the years, it has become a symbol, a living witness to the labors, struggles, dedication, and generosity of noble people—our doctors, nurses, employees, friends, and Sisters, of the years past, the present, and yet to come.
With hearts full of love and gratitude to God, PERPETUAL SUCCOUR HOSPITAL is reaching out to all for healing and hope. Inspired by Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, with the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres and the whole PSH community, it is blessed to continually offer to all its people the care to heal, the ability to contribute, and an enduring mission to serve the weak through health care services.
Together we proclaim our thanksgiving.
