History of Intermountain Health

Intermountain Health has a rich legacy of serving communities through our dedicated healthcare services. The journey began with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who were known for their strength, never turning away from hardships. Which is exactly what a doctor in Billings, Montana had told them when he requested the Sisters help to establish a hospital. That opened the doors for the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth who went on to establish, or assume, responsibility for 18 hospitals from Kansas to California between 1864 and 1952.

Their commitment to healthcare led to the opening of Saint Joseph Hospital in Colorado in 1873, which remains the largest private teaching hospital in the city. Over the decades, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth continued to open facilities that supported the communities they served, including St. Vincent Orphanage in Denver. In 1909 the orphanage was renamed Mount Saint Vincent and over the next century this transformed into a pediatric behavioral health service, community preschool, and traditional and therapeutic foster care.

By 1989, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth were asked to help again. Responding to a request from the first mayor of Billings, Montana, Henry Chappel, and Billings’ first Catholic priest, Father Von Clarenbeck. The Sisters laid the first cornerstone for what is now St. Vincent Regional Hospital.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hospitals

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also played a pivotal role in the development of Intermountain Health. The Dr. W.H. Groves LDS Hospital was dedicated in Salt Lake City on January 4, 1905, and continues to serve the community. Annie Taylor Dee founded the Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden (ancestor to today’s McKay-Dee Hospital) in 1910, which later became part of the Church's healthcare system. The Church’s children’s organization opened in 1922, now known as Primary Children’s Hospital, it ranks nationally in all 11 specialties by US News and World Report.

Health Systems Form & Combine

In 1972, two significant events occurred: the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth formed the SCL Health System, and the LDS Church transferred its 15 hospitals in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming to the community, creating Intermountain Health Care (IHC). IHC's mission was to become a global leader in healthcare, providing high-quality care at the lowest cost and meeting community needs effectively.

In 1983, IHC launched IHC Health Plans to provide affordable healthcare to its employees. This initiative grew into Select Health, which now serves over 1 million members, demonstrating Intermountain Health's commitment to integrated, accessible healthcare services.

Today

In 2007, Intermountain Health Care rebranded to Intermountain Healthcare, reflecting its expanded mission and services. The merger of SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare happened in 2022, marking a significant milestone and leading to the unified brand of Intermountain Health in 2023. Intermountain Health’s current brand signifies our continued dedication to providing comprehensive healthcare solutions, with our communities at the front of our care.