Sisters of St. Martha end 120 years of health-care service in Nova Scotia

The Sisters of St. Martha gave notice they will no longer sponsor the Mission Assurance Agreement they’ve held with the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health (NSH) since 1996. The agreement will conclude on Sept. 30, 2026.

“The Sisters’ stewardship, service and leadership in healthcare includes much more than the delivery of exemplary care,” said a statement from Minister of Health and Wellness Michelle Thompson. “It has also contributed to the education and preparation of thousands of healthcare professionals including nurses, lab technicians and X-ray technicians.”

The department and NSH said they will not move forward with another sponsor.

“When the current agreement concludes, the services and policies at St. Martha’s will more closely align with all other hospitals across Nova Scotia,” said Thompson.

When the agreement concludes, Thompson said the province will honour the congregation’s commitment to the hospital and the community of Antigonish. The minister also extended her gratitude for the sisters’ 120 years of service and their impact on healthcare in the community.

St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, N.S., was founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha in 1906.

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