COVID-19 Survivors And Caregivers Reunite In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — It's time to celebrate a 50 year legacy of hope and healing, Orange County. Providence Mission Hospital is honoring its 50th anniversary by reuniting 25 survivors of COVID-19 with 25 of their nurses, doctors and caregivers Thursday.

"With no hospital visitors allowed during their time of COVID care, the deep relationship and emotional bond between patient and caregiver is very special," A news statement released by Providence Mission Hospital said. "However, that strong bond between patient and caregiver predated the pandemic, and is one that has flourished since South Orange County’s only level II trauma center opened its doors 50 years ago."

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After the intimate reunion, the COVID-19 survivors and their caregivers, along with hospital staff, will place mementos into a time capsule to reflect on the hospital's 50-year legacy of hope and healing, and to record the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The time capsule will be displayed at Providence Mission Hospital until it is official opened at for the hospital's 100th anniversary in 2071.

Fifty years ago, Providence Mission Hospital opened in Mission Viejo as a one-story, 124-bed facility. Today, the hospital stands as a state-of-the-art 504-bed acute care facility.

"The hospital was the insightful vision of a group of dedicated community physicians," A news statement released by Mission Hospital said. "They saw the rapid growth of south Orange County and anticipated the community's need for acute hospital care services."