Mercy Sister Dorothy Calhoun, former CEO/CFO of Mercy Hospital, dies at 88

Sister of Mercy Mary Dorothy Calhoun, a former CEO/CFO of Mercy Hospital in New Orleans who dedicated her vocation as a woman religious to nursing and healthcare administration, died on Nov. 23. She was 88.

Born Joan Marie Calhoun on Dec. 31, 1933, Sister Mary Dorothy graduated from Holy Name of Jesus School and Mercy Academy in New Orleans. She entered the Mother of Mercy Novitiate, St. Louis Province, in 1952.

After graduating from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis in 1958, Sister Dorothy went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing and her master’s degree in hospital administration at St. Louis University.

In 1990, she also completed her certification in clinical pastoral education at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans.

From 1958-1967, Sister Dorothy’s supervisory roles included nursing care in obstetrics, delivery, nursery, operating room and emergency room services. Her reach was wide as director of nursing services at Mercy facilities in New Orleans; Brownsville, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Sister Dorothy was administrator (CEO/CFO) of Mercy Hospital in New Orleans (1968-73); administrator (CEO/CFO) of St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri (1973-77); administrator (CEO/CFO) of Mercy Health Center in Laredo, Texas (1977-80); director of pastoral services for the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Hospital in New Orleans (1981-92); director of pastoral services at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas (1992-95), later serving as pastoral care chaplain there from 1995-2014; and a volunteer at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas (2014-20).

The last two years of Sister Dorothy’s life were spent in prayer and works of mercy, in the loving care of the retired Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis.

Sister Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, John Worthing Calhoun and Dorothy Louise Tremoulet Calhoun Brundige; a sister, Dorothy Calhoun Jackman; a brother, John Worthing Calhoun Jr. ; and her stepfather, William Hart Brundige. She is survived by a brother, William Hart Brundige Jr., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Nov. 30 in the chapel of Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery. Donations in Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun’s memory can be sent to Catherine’s Residence Ministry Fund, Sisters of Mercy – The Americas, 2039 North Geyer Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63131. (Attn: Sr. Richard Mary Burke, R.S.M.)