On 10 June, the Saint John of God Institute  - Casa de Saúde S. Rafael and Casa de Saúde S. Miguel – was honoured to receive an important Civil Merit Award in the course of the session celebrating “The Autonomous Region of the Azores Day”.

Our Institute was given this honour by the Legislative Assembly of the Regional Government of the Azores.  

92 YEARS OF HOSPITALITY IN THE AZORES

This distinction awarded by the Legislative Assembly of the Regional Government of the Azores was in tribute to the great service of Hospitality for over 92 years in the 9 islands of the archipelago. In our two facilities, we care for about 360 people with mental health problems by offering psychosocial rehabilitation, and people with alcohol and substance dependency. We have 200 co-workers serving in the various care units (short-, medium- and long-stay patients), and in residential and socio-occupational units specialising in caring for people with dependency problems.

THE BROTHERS OF ST JOHN OF GOD – HEALTHCARE PIONEERS

It was in 1927 (Casa de Saúde S. Rafael) and 1928 (Casa de Saúde S. Miguel) that the Brothers of St John of God began providing care in the Azores for people with mental problems, at a time when there no facilities were available to attend specifically to them.

And still today, the St John of God Institute continues to provide the service in this field through its two healthcare facilities, offering the highest standard of care according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the Regional Mental Health Care plans.