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. Vincent's 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 X-ray department. Another unique feature was it's School of Nursing. The entire hospital was built at an approximate cost of $75,000.

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 110-bed 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 doctor's 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 1,800 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 President/CEO 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 3,000 square feet to the Radiology Department was needed to house the CAT scanner and the new doctor's lounge with additional office space.

The Mercy Family Conference Room was completed in the northwest corner of the basement level in December 1985. The 2,400 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 35-bed 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 mid-1996, 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, long-term care facilities, and numerous eldercare, housing, and primary care services throughout the country. The organization has more than 77,000 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.