In 1920 negotiations began for the construction of St. John Hospital, but due to lack of public funds, the project was put on hold until 1925. On May 12th , the foundation stone was laid. In early January the first Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother arrived for preparations, yet it was not until February 21, 1926 that services began with the admission of the first 24 patients. Initially the hospital had only 50 beds with an operating room and X-ray floor. In the same year the Nursing School was also opened, which until May 23, 1976, would continue to train excellent health care workers. Later, through the generosity of many benefactors, the hospital would be expanded but, more importantly, it would open cutting-edge and excellent departments in various fields, especially in cardiovascular diseases. On February 22, 1976, in the hospital's 50th year, the North Tower and South Wing were opened, and the whole complex was renamed St. John Medical Center.