Mercy Milestones
More than a century of progress in health care
1891
In February 1891, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother establish a hospital in Oshkosh. They name the hospital "St. Mary’s."
1892
The Sisters beg for alms because the community was reluctant to use the new hospital. Gradually, the Sisters gain a reputation for quality care and the number of patients outnumbers the available beds.
1894
Ground is broken for the new St. Mary’s Hospital. The facility will accommodate 25-35 patients.
1903
An addition and new chapel are built on property adjoining the hospital. Bed capacity is 85.
1917
The Sisters purchase Lakeside Hospital from Dr. M.E. Corbett. Lakeside Hospital is renamed Mercy Hospital.
1922
Ground is broken for an expansion project at Mercy Hospital. The new addition includes a north wing, chapel, convent, new powerhouse and laundry.
1931
Construction begins on the five-story Nursing School and dormitory.
1939
Mercy Hospital is approved as a class "A" hospital by the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association.
1942
Red Cross volunteers begin to work at Mercy Hospital.
1956
Mercy’s School of Nursing receives full accreditation from the National Nursing Accrediting Program.
1957
The hospital expands again. Three new wings include modern operating rooms, additional patient rooms, an administration facility and a rehabilitation center.
1962
Mercy Hospital’s new Nuclear Medicine Laboratory begins serving the community.
1968
Mercy Hospital and the Marion Home merge to form Mercy Medical Center.
1971
The board of directors establishes Mercy Medical Center Foundation.
1973
A new surgical intensive care unit opens at Mercy Medical Center.
1978
The Hospice Program is founded and a "birthing room" is added to the obstetrical unit.
1981
Mercy Medical Center remodels to provide space for the only full-body CT scanner serving lower Fox Valley residents. In addition, the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit opens.
1983
The Neodymium YAG surgical laser arrives at Mercy, opening new perspectives in eye microsurgery. Mercy is the first hospital in the state to feature the equipment.
1984
An Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Program is initiated and the Cardio-Respiratory Services Center is formed.
1985
Mercy Medical Center becomes the first hospital in the state to establish a mobile breast screening and education program.
1988
Mercy Medical Center brings the first mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and mobile lithotripsy to the area.
1991 – Mercy celebrates 100 years of service to the community.
Mercy Medical Center begins an open-heart surgery and angioplasty program. Later in the year, ground is broken for the new Mercy-Oakwood Medical Center, a state-of-the-art outpatient center.
1993
Mercy-Oakwood Medical Center is completed. Mercy Oakwood houses doctors' offices, specialty clinics, outpatient surgery suites, lab facilities, radiology services and a pharmacy.
1995
Mercy Medical Center partners with St. Elizabeth Hospital to form Affinity Health System. The purpose is to foster Valley-wide cooperation to help keep health care costs down.
1997
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother announce their intent to build a new hospital in Oshkosh adjacent to Mercy Oakwood. With much excitement and anticipation, construction begins on the facility.
2000
The newly constructed hospital opens.
