About Us - Our History

John James Memorial Hospital commenced operation in 1970, and is named after the late Dr John James a highly respected medical practitioner and surgeon in Canberra’s early days.

John James graduated from Sydney University in 1911 and served in Gallipoli, France and Egypt during the First World War. He was Lt Colonel in charge of the Fourth Field Ambulance and was mentioned in despatches. He was the first Medical Superintendent of the Canberra Hospital, and from 1929 to 1965 practised as a surgeon and general practitioner in Canberra.

In 2002, the hospital purchased the business of Lidia Perin Memorial Hospital day surgery.

The Little Company of Mary Health Care acquired the hospital on the 16 October 2006.

The Little Company of Mary was founded by Venerable Mary Potter in Nottingham England in 1877 to provide a healing ministry to all, to relieve suffering, to stand in solidarity with those who suffer and to be a sign of hope.

When the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary first came to Australia in 1885, they established hospitals, nurse training schools, outreach and other services to provide care and support for those in need.

Over the last past 130 years, the Sisters have built up a respected reputation for providing high quality health, community and aged care, always striving to excel in the spirit of Mary Potter's vision of 'being for others'.

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