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The story begins in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland
when Mother Catherine McAuley and three of her companions set out to fulfill
the objectives of the newly created Sisters of Mercy. They sought to care
for the sick, educate the youth and protect young girls.
The work of the Sisters of Mercy today extends not only throughout Ireland,
England, Newfoundland and Australia, but also North and South America, New
Zealand, South Africa and Jamaica.
In 1918, the Sisters of Mercy opened a hospital in Lima, Ohio.
St. Rita's was the fulfillment of a dream of the Right Reverend Monsignor
A.E. Manning, the Reverend William Tobin and Mother Bernardine McMullen,
R.S.M. At the time of its opening, the hospital was not completely finished,
but was opened in order to administer care to victims of what was probably
one of the first and most devastating epidemics to plague the Lima area,
the influenza epidemic of 1918.
Through the coming years, St. Rita's expanded to add more beds and services
to meet the health care needs of the community. In 1948, a seven-story addition
to the original building was completed, housing modern operating, delivery
and X-ray rooms, more office space and an additional 150 beds. Just nine
years later, it again became apparent that in the not too distant future
new facilities, additional beds and a School of Nursing building would be
needed to keep St. Rita's Hospital on the move to providing quality medical
care for the people of Allen and surrounding counties.
After 59 years as St. Rita's Hospital, on March 9, 1977 the hospital name
was changed to St. Rita's Medical Center.
St. Rita's has, over the years, emphasized long range planning and keeping
completely up-to-date not only with the most sophisticated pieces of equipment,
but in medical procedures and services to the community.
Today, St. Rita's Medical Center is the largest hospital within a 70-mile
radius of Lima and has additional treatment facilities in Glandorf, Delphos
and Wapakoneta plus the Occupational Health Center in Lima. St. Rita's continues
to be the region's leader in medical care.
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For More Information
(419) 227-3361
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| Photo History: |
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Click here
for a photographic history of St. Rita's Medical Center. |
| Fact: |
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Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, had a special love for the virtue of mercy. She devoted her life to serving the poor, the homeless and those in need. |
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