THE SAINT VINCENT -FRENCH HOSPITAL - NAZARETH
• Founded in 1898 by Sister Sion, head of the Daughters of Charity Institutions in the Holy Land, the first hospital included only a 17-bed ward, which was soon supplemented with a clinic that was immediately very attended by the local population. Moreover, the Sisters did not hesitate to travel, sometimes far away, to make home calls. The Hospital took its current shape in 1908 and was officially opened in 1910. Its history is quite tumultuous: it has been in operation since the last years of the Turkish rule (1898-1918), throughout the British Mandate (1918-1948) and under the State of Israel (since 1948); and of course it went through all the wars that marked this period, occasionally suffering damages, and even being forced to close for a while.
• Under the Ottoman Empire, it was essential to enjoy some political protection against the greed of Turkish officials; for this reason, French Catholic communities looked for protection from France, hence the name - the French Hospital. French support was afterward confirmed by sending volunteer medical personnel for years. Among them was Dr. Paul Plessier, a surgeon sent by France to regularly inspect all French hospitals in the Middle East; he visited the Nazareth Hospital several times, before becoming its Medical Director from 1964 to 1989. At that time, it was decided to create a Pediatrics Department and to develop the already existing Maternity Ward, in order to have a hospital serving both Mother and Child, which it still does today, more than ever. Two other French volunteers left their mark on our facility: Dr. Jeanne STEFAN and Dr. Marie VIGNALOU, both in the Pediatrics Department. At the same time, a nursing school (now closed) was opened in the 70's with the French Government's participation. The French presence and support, sometimes at difficult times, has had an undeniable influence on the dynamics and development of our Hospital. Today, in addition to the Sisters, who come from around the world, the rest of the Hospital staff is local, but there are still various links with France.
