Carondelet Legacy Stories
Celebrating 145 Years
Carondelet has a long and rich history that spans decades. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the congregation was originally established in France. The Sisters came to the United States in 1836 to serve the diocese in Carondelet, Missouri.
In 1870, seven Sisters of St. Joseph traveled from San Diego to Tucson to open a school. In 1880, the Sisters opened St. Mary’s Hospital, Arizona’s first hospital. In 1961, they opened St. Joseph’s Hospital to provide services for Tucson’s growing east side. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet began managing Holy Cross in 1981 and assumed ownership in 1987.
'Trust Your Gut' Judith Mueller
Carondelet St. Joseph’s own Judith Mueller (Market Director of Education) gave the commencement speech to the Arizona College of BSN graduates. Her commentary was based on her nursing journey and how she never stopped believing.
In her transparent reflection on the brand-new graduating class of nurses, Judith shared what she wished she knew as a new graduate RN: to ask questions early, often, and forever.
“Trust your gut. You will make mistakes but learn from them,” she shared. Judith reminded the audience to find their person – the one with which to count on, get support from, and learn from. She reminded the graduates to support each other along this journey and share the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Judith also suggested that those in attendance find ways to nourish themselves daily and support their loved ones, to use humor, and to involve their loved ones in what they do so they can witness your passion and commitment to helping others. We can all take something away from her commencement address. The Arizona College of BSN graduates will never forget her words.