In 1989, Deaconess Nurse Ministry (formerly Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries) started through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Richard Ellerbrake, CEO of Deaconess Health System, to commemorate the centennial of the founding of the Deaconess Sisterhood and the Deaconess mission in St. Louis.  Over the past 25 years, Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministry has gone through several variations, all tied to providing whole-person health through parish or faith community nurses.  The Board of Directors of Deaconess Nurse Ministry created a community-based model as the landscape of healthcare changed.

Prior to 2014, Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries, LLC operated under the 501c3 umbrella of the Deaconess Foundation, which was created in 1997 to handle the proceeds from the sale of Deaconess – Incarnate Word Hospital.  In 2014, the Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries, LLC became the Deaconess Nurse Ministry, a separate 501c3 organization.   Our mission and work in the community follows what was set years ago by the Deaconess Sisters that is out in the community, with hearts responding to the call to care for all with the compassion, respect and dignity that offers the healing love of God.