The Sisters of Mary of the Presentation arrived in the United States at the turn of the Twentieth Century as exiles from religious persecution in their native France. At the request of the pastor of the Irish parish in Spring Valley, Illinois in 1903, the Sisters established St. Margaret’s Hospital. Thus modestly began the history of SMP Health which is now headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota and comprised of the following healthcare ministries in North Dakota:

Hospitals:

1. SMP Health – St. Andrew’s, Bottineau
2. SMP Health – St. Aloisius, Harvey
3. SMP Health – St. Kateri, Rolla

Long Term Care in North Dakota:

1. SMP Health – Ave Maria, Jamestown
2. SMP Health – St. Raphael, Valley City 
3. SMP Health –  Maryhill, Enderlin 
4. SMP Health – St. Catherine North, Fargo
5. SMP Health – St. Catherine South, Fargo
6. SMP Health – St. Aloisius, Harvey

*This is the first group of sisters who left France in 1902 for Rat Portage (now Kenora), Ontario, Canada. They moved to Wild Rice, North Dakota in 1903 to start a school. That same year, other sisters moved to Spring Valley, Illinois to establish St. Margaret’s Hospital.