Mary Broderick -- Former College President, Minneapolis Campus Dean, and Nursing Professor -- Retires from Impressive 50-Year Career

Broderick's Contributions to the College of St. Catherine

Prior to joining Catholic Eldercare, Broderick spent thirty-three years as a nursing faculty member and academic administrator at St. Mary’s Junior College and at the Minneapolis campus of the College of St. Catherine. She served as dean and vice president for the Minneapolis campus and served as the interim president of the entire College in 1997-1998.

Entrepreneurial and deeply connected to the College's social justice mission, Mary led the Minneapolis campus through periods of growth and significant change, including the merger of the two colleges following the reitrement of the founding president of the Minneapolis campus, Sister Anne Joachim Moore. Broderick developed key relationships within the healthcare industry and led the faculty in creative responses to emerging and educational opportunities in health care. She guided the process of developing health-related graduate programs and significantly extended the visibility of the Minneapolis campus and its respected position as an innovative healthcare educator. Her pioneering work formed a large component of St. Catherine's new School of Health.


Impressive Achievements in Senior Care

Her contributions to Catholic Eldercare were just as significant, extending the reach and quality of senior health care in Minneapolis. The nonprofit Catholic Eldercare is a community resource that provides a full continuum of housing and care services, including a popular adult day program, for elders of all faiths and financial means -- it has a twenty-five year tradition of meeting the diverse needs of seniors in a caring atmosphere of support, respect, dignity and self-determination. Speaking of Broderick's decade of leadership, Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis noted: “The tenure of Mary Broderick was providential for Catholic Eldercare and the broader community. Mary was particularly adept at engaging leadership and support to sustain and develop the continuum of care – the adult day program, independent housing, assisted living, memory care and nursing home care in Northeast Minneapolis. Moreover, Catholic character for these institutions meant compassion, opportunity to participate in sacramental life, and an environment which upheld dignity and personal value.”

Broderick was recruited to lead Catholic Eldercare in 1999 by Al Hofstede and other co-founders. In Broderick they found a skilled nurse and an experienced, dedicated leader with an eye for detail, a compassion for seniors, and high expectations for a quality staff working in a field that requires abundant doses of patience, kindness, and compassion. “I have been so fortunate to be part of this remarkable, quality organization that serves individuals and families in such a loving, dignified way,” Broderick said. “It’s a wonderful gift to be able to join the residents and their families for this portion of life’s journey. It has been a beautiful experience, and a special blessing as my husband and I begin to deal with our own aging.”

Leading A Decade of Growth

Broderick led Catholic Eldercare through remarkable growth during her tenure. Creating a strong development department was an early priority which led to the Renewing the Spirit Capital Fund Drive in 2001 to enhance the level of senior housing in Northeast Minneapolis.

Most recently, she led the acquisition of 1101 On Main which offers quality condominium rentals, just two blocks from the Eldercare campus. She oversaw the planning and development of the RiverVillage campus with its affordable independent housing and assisted-living and memory-care units. Mary was a strong catalyst behind the creation of Catholic Senior Services, the Archdiocesan network of Catholic providers created to enhance the level of senior housing and services in the Twin Cities.

“I retire," said Broderick, "knowing the organization is in wonderful hands, given the depth of expertise, compassion, and leadership found in Catholic Eldercare’s staff, board members, volunteers, and friends. Our goal has always been to create a community where elders are well cared for and allowed to thrive and contribute, in a comfortable home where life is to be lived fully. I know that will only continue and grow.” A comprehensive, professional search will get underway in early April. The Catholic Eldercare board of directors will name a new President/CEO in early October.