In a world where compassion meets dedication, where hope transcends despair, and where healing is an art practiced with unwavering commitment, there stands a bastion of care, a beacon of resilience, and a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. Welcome to the remarkable history of St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Before establishing St. Elizabeth Hospital, Dr. Jesus Veneracion accompanied his older brother, who was serving as the chaplain of Muntinlupa prison. The visits to the penitentiary, in particular, had a profound impact on the young Dr. Jess and played a pivotal role in shaping his future as a medical professional as he was able to witness first-hand his brother’s acts of selflessness.
Subsequently, he received an invitation from another brother, one of the pioneers of General Santos City, to relocate from Manila. Equipped with his newly acquired General Surgery training obtained from St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and accompanied by his beautiful and devoted wife, Mrs. Angelita Veneracion, he accepted the invitation of his elder brother to settle and establish a medical practice in what was once a dusty, small rural town named Dadiangas.
After staying for several months, he came to the conclusion that the town had inadequate healthcare services, with no hospitals available. Upon consulting with his wife and her father, a former Auditor General of the Philippines (now Commission on Audit), they collectively decided to combine their resources to establish a healthcare facility that would cater to the medical needs of the community.
Dr. Jesus C. Veneracion established the very first medical facility in General Santos City in 1962, naming it after his patron saint, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Subsequently, the facility, known as St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc. (SEHI), was authorized to operate as a primary hospital, initially offering 25 beds.
At the onset of the hospital’s operations, Dr. Jesus Veneracion served as the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer, while his wife, Mrs. Angelita Veneracion, took on the role of Disbursing Officer. However, with their family growing to seven children by 1970, the couple found it difficult to balance work and family responsibilities. As devout Catholics, they turned to the Dominican Sisters of Siena, who were known for managing hospitals as part of their advocacies.
In 1975, St. Elizabeth Hospital underwent a significant transformation, expanding its scope of services to provide advanced and comprehensive medical care, which ultimately led to the hospital being granted a License to Operate as a tertiary medical institution and increased its bed capacity to 75.
Until 1983, Dr. Jesus Veneracion served as the Medical Director and the Dominican Sisters of Siena as administrators. However, they parted ways mutually, and from then on, Dr. Jess assumed both roles.
The hospital underwent a change in ownership from single proprietorship to a corporation in 1987. The Veneracion siblings, namely Antonio, Ma. Rosario, and Jesus Jr, were invited by St. Elizabeth Hospital to join the Board, and they eventually decided to rehabilitate, renovate and expand the hospital to enhance its competitiveness.
In 1989, Mr. Antonio Veneracion assumed the role of Hospital Administrator, taking over from the Dominican Sisters of Sienna who previously managed the hospital. Mr. Veneracion, who holds professional degrees in Business Management and Accountancy, skillfully navigated the hospital through the challenges of the 1990s. Among the milestones were enabling the hospital to expand into a full-fledged general tertiary level medical institution with 180 beds, renovation of the main hospital building in 1997, and upgrading existing private rooms and several machineries, which required taking out a larger loan.
St. Elizabeth Hospital introduced a Quality Assurance Program in 2000, which aimed to enhance customer relations and was a significant achievement in the hospital’s service delivery capability. It was initiated and led by Mr. Antonio Veneracion, who introduced the total quality management approach, which focused on the concept of “doing the right things right the first time and doing them better and better”. This pioneering effort was acknowledged by regulatory agencies for its focus on meeting the needs of customers. In 2009, the hospital was selected by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) as a pilot center for its benchbook program, mandating all hospitals to implement quality assurance activities for accreditation. Furthermore, in 2010, St. Elizabeth Hospital received recognition from PHIC as one of the best hospitals in providing exceptional quality care to its customers.
The hospital’s 50th-year commemoration in 2012 was marked by two significant achievements. Firstly, it received ISO 9001:2008 certification, becoming the first healthcare facility in Region 12 to receive such recognition. Secondly, the hospital increased its operating bed capacity to 248.
In October 2017, St. Elizabeth Hospital established a partnership with Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (MPHHI), now under the new name Metro Pacific Heath (MPH). As a result, St. Elizabeth Hospital became the 14th member of the network, alongside distinguished hospitals such as Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and Davao Doctors Hospital. Mr. Celso Bernard Lopez was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer while Mr. Antonio G. Veneracion was named the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital.
The partnership aimed to make St. Elizabeth Hospital the premier go-to hospital in Region 12. In a matter of months, the hospital implemented the master plans that included key projects such as an upgrade in its accreditation to an ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2018. In early 2019, SEHI finally increased its total operating capacity to 273 beds with the opening of its new premium wing. Also in early 2019, SEHI opened the doors of its new Outpatient Care Center, a one-stop-shop facility, which is graced by a majestic glass-based structure and features some of the newest hospital equipment, including a new x-ray machine, new laboratory equipment, and the one and only 64-slice CT Scan in Region 12.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, St. Elizabeth Hospital has demonstrated remarkable resilience and efficiency in continuing to provide quality healthcare services to its patients. The hospital has implemented strict safety protocols and infection control measures to protect both patients and staff. It has also adapted to the changing circumstances by offering home services such as Teleconsultation, Lab Express and Medicine Delivery, enabling patients to consult with their doctors remotely, have their laboratory and medicines delivered at the comfort of their homes.
Additionally, the hospital has increased its capacity for COVID-19 testing and treatment and has actively participated in vaccination drives to help curb the spread of the virus. Through these efforts, St. Elizabeth Hospital was appointed as the APEX Hospital in the region, and DOH Hospital Star Awards for being one of the top 10 hospitals in the Philippines as it remained a reliable and trusted healthcare provider, even during these difficult times.
The opening of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Care Center was a significant event for the hospital, which took place in 2020. This facility aimed to provide cancer patients with a more comprehensive range of medical services and treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
In 2021, St. Elizabeth Hospital Outpatient Care Center in Alabel was established to serve the healthcare needs of Alabel, and its nearby provinces providing accessible and affordable outpatient services to the community. The center is equipped with modern facilities and staffed with highly trained medical professionals, ensuring that patients receive high-quality care and treatment.
In April 2022, with his remarkable understanding of the local healthcare market, and constantly thinking in terms of systems and processes having a profound appreciation of the invaluable SEHI family culture, Mr. Antonio Veneracion was promoted as the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In 2022, the opening of the St. Elizabeth Hospital Express Care allowed patients to conveniently have their outpatient care done, such as laboratory, and imaging, without having to go inside the hospital. Patients can simply drive up to the designated area, where a healthcare professional will assist them in their needs.
Last April 4, 2023, marked the official opening of Jesus C. Veneracion Medical Arts Tower, the tallest building in Region 12. Named after the hospital’s founder, it is designed to be a haven for patients seeking top-tier expertise across various medical disciplines, our clinic brings together a distinguished team of over 120 specialists under one exceptional roof. From Pediatrics, OB-Gyne, Surgery, Internal Medicine and a lot more. You can also find here other specialized services such St. Elizabeth Cancer Care Center, MedExpress Drugstore, Dental Clinic, Hemodialysis Unit, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy facilities.
Additionally, the Medical Facility for Overseas Workers and Seafarers (OFW Clinic) and Sleep Laboratory opened their services to address the needs of the community in Region 12.
Furthermore, St. Elizabeth Hospital has made significant advancements in cardiovascular care with the establishment of the region’s first-ever Catheterization Laboratory, where minimally invasive heart procedures are performed. In addition, the hospital now conducts heart surgeries, offering comprehensive, life-saving treatments for patients with complex heart conditions. Most recently, we launched the MRI 1.5 Tesla technology, the most advanced in the region, further solidifying our commitment to offering cutting-edge diagnostics and treatment options to our patients.
Today, as we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, we carry forward the legacy of compassion, innovation, and excellence. St. Elizabeth Hospital isn’t just a structure; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for curing and caring.
As we continue our journey, we remember our roots, honor our founders, and look to the future with hope and determination. Together, we are the guardians of this incredible institution, ensuring that the story of St. Elizabeth Hospital remains one of unwavering care, progress, and above all, humanity.
