Sage Memorial Hospital School of Nursing

Sage Memorial Hospital School of Nursing was a nursing school and historic complex in Ganado, Arizona, sprawling across roughly 160 acres at the junction of Highways 264 and 291. The facility operated a 75-bed hospital that combined medical education with direct patient care for the surrounding Navajo Reservation communities.

The school was established in 1930 under Dr. Clarence G. Salsbury and offered one of the first organized nursing programs within a reservation setting. It received National Historic Landmark designation in 2009 in recognition of its role in advancing medical education and serving communities often underserved by healthcare.

The school brought together students from over 50 Native American tribes as well as Hispanic, Filipino, and Asian students, creating a rare space where different communities learned together. The program reflected a model of medical training that responded to the health needs of the surrounding Navajo communities.

The site sits at roughly 6,400 feet elevation in a high desert valley with access via Highways 264 and 291. Visitors should note that this is a remote location, so planning ahead and checking local conditions before traveling is advisable.

The school was the first accredited nursing program specifically designed for Native American women in the United States. This distinction made it a pioneer at a time when such opportunities were unavailable for indigenous women elsewhere in the country.

Location: Ganado

GPS coordinates: 35.71175,-109.54293

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:13