Mercy Hospital

Description

Mercy Hospital is a 25bed Critical Access hospital accredited by The Joint Commission Mercy Hospital is sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives a member of Catholic Health Association American Hospital Associatioin North Dakota Healthcare Association and is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Mission
The mission of Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health Initiatives is to nurture the healing ministry of the Church by bringing it new life energy and viability in the 21st century Fidelity to the gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we move toward the creation of healthier communities

Vision
Catholic Health Initiatives vision is to live out its mission by transforming health care delivery and by creating new ministries for the promotion of healthy communities

Core Values
Reverence
Profound respect and awe for all creation the foundation that shapes spirituality our relationships with others and our journey to God

Integrity
Moral wholeness soundness fidelity trust truthfulness in all we do

Compassion
Solidarity with one another capacity to enter into anothers joy and sorrow

Excellence
Preeminent performance becoming the benchmark putting forth our personal and professional best

History

History of Mercy Hospital
The Sisters of Mercy arrived in North Dakota for the first time in 1884 from Omaha Nebr with the goal of starting a school for Indian children at Belcourt It was 11 years later the the Rev Mother M Genevieve Sheridan came to Devils Lake to start a hospital The old public school building on Fifth Street was abandoned its purchase was negotiated for use as St Vincents Hospital The hospital had two wards and 11 private rooms The first patient was received November 3 1895 It was soon known that the facility would not be large enough to handle the needs of the growing community so plans were initiated to build a new one

In June 1902 the cornerstone was laid for the first wing of the present Mercy Hospital and in May 1903 the building was completed and dedicated At that time the hospital was modern had three wards 25 private rooms laboratory an operating room and an Xray department Another unique feature was its School of Nursing The entire hospital was built at an approximate cost of 75000

On September 17 1936 the cornerstone was laid for the second addition which increased the bed capacity to 75 and improved the facilities for the Nurses Training School

Plans for another addition began in 1956 which included an increase in the number of beds plus the modernization of the ancillary facilities The new wing was dedicated in October of 1958

In 1972 plans were initiated to replace the 1902 wing and renovate the 1957 wing A certificate of need was issued to Mercy Hospital to build a 110bed facility The new hospital area included space for 28 new hospital beds departments of physical therapy respiratory care emergency laboratory radiology surgery pharmacy intensive care medical records a doctors lounge and an administrative area The basement level housed central service laundry housekeeping mechanical equipment for heating and air conditioning print shop purchasing department personnel locker rooms and a storage area

The 1936 wing is no longer used for patient care This wing currently accommodates a dental clinic medical library and spiritual services department

The Radiology Department was enlarged in 1981 The 1800 square foot expansion was necessary to accommodate the Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound Department Also a connector was built between Mercy Hospital and the Lake Region Clinic

Marlene Krein was appointed PresidentCEO in 1983 With this appointment Mrs Krein held the distinction of being the first laywoman president of Mercy Hospital Catholic Health Corporation and the North Dakota Hospital Association

In 1984 the addition of 3000 square feet to the Radiology Department was needed to house the CAT scanner and the new doctors lounge with additional office space

The Mercy Family Conference Room was completed in the northwest corner of the basement level in December 1985 The 2400 square foot area provides ample space for community and hospital events For the convenience of patients and visitors the front entrance of Mercy Hospital was enclosed with electronic doors in January 1988

Ground was broken for a new 35bed acute care wing on August 13 1992 The cornerstone and time capsule were laid on November 6 1993 Bishop James S Sullivan officiated at the dedication and blessing

In 1994 remodeling of the following areas was completed administration admissions business office payroll and accounting human resources physical therapy emergency room same day surgery endoscopy suite pharmacy and the cafeteria The chapel was moved to the ground floor adjacent to the cafeteria

During the next year significant events took place In January 1995 Mercy Hospital became licensed by the State of North Dakota for operation of 50 beds In September the Mercy Hospice Program received state licensure The Hospice Program is designed to provide palliative care to terminally ill patients That same year the Sisters of Mercy convent was moved to the fourth floor of the hospital

In mid1996 three national health care systems Catholic Health Corporation Omaha Nebr Franciscan Health System Aston Penn and Sisters of Charity Health Care Systems Cincinnati Ohio created a new and unprecedented health system Catholic Health Initiatives CHI On July 1 1996 Mercy Hospital became a part of CHI Representing the ministries of 12 religious congregations Catholic Health Initiatives facilities provide care in hospitals longterm care facilities and numerous eldercare housing and primary care services throughout the country The organization has more than 77000 employees With a national presence and the strength of its size CHI is proud to continue the Catholic health care tradition well into the future