History of Mercy Hospital Washington
1926
After three years of planning, a site for the Washington hospital is purchased. Ground is broken on May 15, 1926, and by December, construction of the three-story, 50-bed hospital is nearing completion.
Five members of the Sisters of St. Francis arrive to provide care. They begin serving patients right away, even without water, electricity or telephone service. Within two years, the hospital is treating 600 patients a year.
1947
As the need for care grows, the hospital adds an east wing and expands to 130 beds. In 1949, a new chapel opens and is blessed by Archbishop Joseph Ritter, who later becomes a cardinal.
1969
The Sisters of St. Francis transfer ownership of the hospital to a lay board, with instructions to operate it as a nonprofit organization. The St. Francis Lay Board secures a management contract with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ and decides to build a new facility to meet the region's growing health care needs.
1976
Clinical teams help design the new hospital, and construction begins in 1974. The design allows for two additional floors and a tower to accommodate future growth.
On February 1, 1976, the board transfers ownership St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. This merger joins the two hospitals and allows for the Sisters of Mercy to expand care and services in Washington. The new St. Francis Mercy Hospital is dedicated on July 31. The eight-story, 185-bed hospital becomes a visible symbol of the community coming together for a common cause.
1982
St. Francis Mercy Hospital is renamed St. John’s Mercy Hospital, reflecting close ties with St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.
1986
After prayerful reflection, the Sisters of Mercy decide to form the Sisters of Mercy Health System, joining together thirteen hospitals across seven states. The formation of the health system allows the Sisters to strengthen sponsorship, maximize resources, pursue a unified strategic direction, and explore new and innovative ways to serve. One of the system’s early mission leaders, Sister Juliana Casey, IHM, spoke about this transition saying, “It was time. It was a moment of the Spirit. It was what we needed to do.”
2011
After decades of growth, the hospital is renamed Mercy Hospital Washington to reflect one Mercy ministry. Services expand to include pediatrics, pathology, gastroenterology, urology, obstetrics, gynecology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, anesthesia and cardiology. The hospital also becomes a Level III Trauma Center, opens a cardiac catheterization lab and doubles its surgical capacity to 10 operating rooms.
2012
Mercy and Patients First combine, bringing caregivers and offices together to expand services and improve care. Mercy becomes Franklin County's largest employer.
The Washington Missourian describes the combination as bringing together two strong medical providers and their resources to better serve the region.
2026
Mercy Hospital Washington celebrates 100 years of healing and 50 years as part of Mercy. As demand for specialty care continues to grow, the hospital opens a third cardiac catheterization lab and expands the use of robotic technology across surgical specialties.
