In 1981, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia founded St. Joseph Medical Center; since then, Franciscan Health System has grown at an impressive rate, always with the mission of fulfilling the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people that they serve. Franciscan Health System includes the Franciscan Care Center of Tacoma, the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, a network of primary-care and specialty-care clinics across South King and Pierce counties, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood and Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. This comprehensive health care organization has around 5,500 employees and a Medical Staff of more than 1,200 members. This not-for-profit organization is faith-based; it nurtures the healing ministry of the Church while emphasizing social justice and human dignity and creating healthier communities. Franciscan Health System is affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives, a not-for-profit health care organization from Denver; it is among the largest not-for-profit health care organizations of the United States.
The therapists of Franciscan Health System provide outpatient and inpatient occupational and physical therapy for patients recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The innovative and comprehensive programs of this health care organization help patients achieve independence and full rehabilitation. The Physical Therapy programs include: prosthetic/orthotics training, orthopedic, musculoskeletal and sports medicine, AquaCiser ? underwater treadmill and Manual therapy. The physical and occupational therapists of Franciscan Health System are experts that provide interdisciplinary services such as: wound care, lymphedema treatment, and vestibular (equilibrium and balance) rehabilitation, among others.