The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has honoured the Sisters of St. Joseph for their 128-year health care legacy in Chatham.
A mass and celebration were held at the chapel and Chatham hospital cafeteria on Monday afternoon.
Three sisters started Chatham's first hospital in 1890 at the old Salvation Army barracks on Centre St. with 16 beds and now CKHA has more than 200 beds.
Sister Margo Ritchie says it's a joyous day and not a day to be sad.
"I think mostly there's gratitude. There's just a natural movement in life where you let go of something and that's just how life operates," says Sister Margo.
The Chatham and Wallaceburg hospitals are now going to be governed as a single corporation by one board of directors.
CKHA decided to end their ties with the sisters in November.
Sister Ritchie feels good about where the hospital is headed and says it's in good hands with CEO Lori Marshall.
"I feel very confident moving forward that the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance will do very good things," Sister Margo says.
CEO Lori Marshall is grateful for the legacy left by the sisters and says thank you.
"A celebration of a legacy. A legacy of giving and caring on behalf of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph Health Care Society that really has supported our community and met the needs of our community over those years," says Marshall.
