This book is a meta-analysis of the relationship of margin and mission of faith-based hospitals in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania to their beginnings and endings. It reviews the various local, state and federal events and factors that impacted these hospitals during their growth and decline from 1847 through 2008. Most importantly, the book shares the courage, hardships, and perseverance of the founders of these institutions, many of whom were women, as they responded to one crisis after another but never gave up their commitment to serve the poor and sick of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.