Rose Hawthorne, born in 1851 and daughter of author Nathaniel Hawthorne, gave up a life of privilege to care for destitute persons afflicted with incurable cancer. She founded the Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Rose of Lima, also called the Hawthorne Dominicans, who continue her mission, providing care for those diagnosed with terminal cancer free of charge. She is declared Venerable in the Catholic Church and is on the path to becoming a canonized saint.

When Rose chose to become a nurse, she trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, then called New York Cancer Hospital. She accepted her first patient in her own home on October 1, 1896. Soon after, was encouraged to become a Dominican Tertiary by Fr. Clement Thuente, O.P., a priest of St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Catherine of Siena. It is a great privilege to share our history with her. The example of her life and heroic virtue is an inspiration and example to us all, and particularly to the nurses and physicians of MSKCC. 

The co-naming ceremony will be held at the corner of East 68th Street and 1st Avenue on Thursday, October 1, at 1 PM, with a reception to follow. All are invited to join the Dominican Healthcare Ministry and to join us in asking for the intercession of Venerable Rose Hawthorne.