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History
On January 4, 1977, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Benedict announced that St. Joseph and St. Vincent hospitals would merge into one institution, Marian Health Center. Later that same year, the two entities joined forces to establish Sioux City's first cardiac catheterization lab. This paved the way for the city's first open heart surgical procedure, performed at the St. Joseph unit of Marian Health Center. In 1979 ground breaking ceremonies were held for a new $28 million hospital facility to be constructed adjacent to the St. Vincent Unit on Fifth Street in downtown Sioux City. On July 1, 1999, Marian Health Center became Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City. The name was changed when the organization joined the unified network of institutions, programs, and services throughout the state of Iowa known as Mercy Health Network, or MHN. By joining MHN, Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City has strengthened the service they provide to the Siouxland community. MHN is comprised of seven Iowa hospitals in Des Moines, North Iowa, Dubuque, Clinton, New Hampton, Centerville, and Sioux City. By becoming a part of the Mercy Health Network, Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City can offer increased access to a wider range of services and enhanced ability to meet the needs of the poor and underserved through health ministry. In addition, the access to network financing and management expertise provides Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City with more opportunities to build and expand upon the already firm financial base. All seven hospitals in Mercy Health Network, including Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City, share a common mission and vision that is rooted in the Catholic tradition of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. The seven hospitals also share the values of respect, compassion, excellence, stewardship, and a concern for those who are poor. In 2000, Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City became a member of Trinity
Health, Novi, Michigan, the fourth largest Catholic healthcare
system in the nation. |
The Sisters of Mercy came to Sioux City in 1890
at the request of civic leaders who sought to establish a new hospital
that was not associated with city government or politics. Mother
Mary Agatha Murphy paid a purchase price of $12,999 for a home John
Pierce had built for his daughter on the corner of 28th and Jennings.
On April 11, 1890, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital opened. On July 15th
the sisters moved the hospital to a home on 21st and Boulevard (now
Court Street), and later that year erected a three-story brick building.
In 1902 St. Joseph School of Nursing opened its doors.