THE SAN JUAN DE DIOS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION - HOSPITAL, the oldest private hospital in the Philippines, had its beginnings in 1578 with the establishment of two bamboo and nipa “wards” by a Franciscan lay brother, Fray Juan Clemente. Unable to learn the language, Fray Clemente dedicated his life to preaching the gospel and caring for the sick and the needy of Manila. In 1596, La Hermanidad de la Misericordia (Confraternity of Mercy), formed by the Franciscans, assumed the work of charity started by Fray Clemente. John of God took over the administration of what was to become the Hospital de San Juan De Dios in 1656. By virtue of a Royal Order issued by Queen Isabella II of Spain in 1865, the Hijas de la Caridad (Daughters of Charity of St. John of God in the administration of the hospital. However, it was only in 1868 that the actual turnover of the hospital management took place. The Liberation of Manila during the World War II totally destroyed the Hospital. This prompted the Hospital de San Juan de Dios Administration to move to another location and was rebuilt along the then Dewey (now Roxas) Boulevard in Pasay City. The Hospital de San Juan de Dios became an Educational Foundation in 1991. It is now known as SAN JUAN DE DIOS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INCORPORATED, INC., a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the poor. San Juan de Dios was known as the Asia’s 1st Hospital certified in OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), the 1st Philippine Hospital certified in ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), and the 1st Philippine Hospital with triple ISO Certification – ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety) For more than 441 years and over 152 years under the care of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, the Hospital has earned the reputation of being the medical sanctuary of those who need it most-the less fortunate. This is consistent with the very inspiration for which the Daughters of Charity was founded – “The principal end to which God has called and established the Daughters of Charity is to honor our Lord Jesus Christ as the source and model of all charity, serving him corporally and spiritually in the person of the poor…” (St. Such principle is embodied in the Hospital’s Vision and Mission..
