Decisions Group Located today in Northeast Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, the Sisters have an interesting and compelling service record in assisting our cofounder Dr. Robert H. Smith and Alcoholics Anonymous to medically treat Alcoholics in the late 1930’s and forward decades.
Dr. Bob had practice privileges at St. Thomas Hospital Medical Center, located in Akron, Ohio, the birthplace of our fellowship Alcoholics Anonymous. It was a Roman Catholic hospital staffed by nurses who were Catholic sisters from the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. Dr. Bob was assisted in those days by Sister Ignatia, whom he fondly nicknamed “Ig”. With permission from her superiors, Sister Ignatia began to assist Dr. Bob to treat alcoholics’ physical symptoms.
It was innovative and profound because most hospitals in those days would not treat alcoholics as they would almost always end up repeat offenders. In addition, they rarely paid their bill. Sister could not understand the hospitals’ policies. She reasoned they would treat an alcoholic who had a car accident and broken bones or head injuries but refused to treat alcoholics going into DT’s. Dr. Bob and Sister Ignatia changed the treatment policy and began treating alcoholics in the late 1930’s. The Sisters of Charity continued their work long after Dr. Bob passed away in 1950, and in gratitude to this innovative service to Alcoholics Anonymous, were presented the 35th million copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous at the 2015 International Convention in Atlanta, Ga.
Our traditions implore us to cooperate, never affiliate; yet, cooperation can benefit the suffering alcoholic in many different ways. Dr. Bob’s work at St. Thomas Hospital recognized the physical sickness along with the spiritual side of the illness called alcoholism. Dr. Bob’s commitment to Step 12 was spread throughout the Midwest in the 15 years he stayed sober and in service, and he was dually nicknamed “The Prince of the 12 Steppers.” In the end, Bob was an example of how innovative and hard work can be applied to help suffering alcoholics recover; truly, Dr. Bob and Sister Ignatia will be remembered in our history for many years to come.
September 2018