History

Mercy's history began more than a century ago with the formation of the Gateway area's two hospitals. In 1889 the Agatha Hospital Association was established in south Clinton. A few years later a young Catholic priest and the charitable Sisters of Mercy formed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in north Clinton. Both hospitals embraced the opportunity to extend compassionate care to the Clinton community. In 1989 the two institutions joined their professional staff and services, forming Samaritan Health System.

In July of 1998 Samaritan and other Mercy Health Services facilities (Mason City, Sioux City, and Dubuque) joined Mercy Hospital Medical Center, Des Moines to form Mercy Health Network. In July of 1999, Mercy Health Network announced the establishment of a new mission, vision, and corporate identity which included changing the names of its seven hospitals to Mercy Medical Centers. It was through this process that Samaritan Health System became Mercy Medical Center - Clinton.

Today, Mercy Medical Center - Clinton is the hub of health care in a four county, two state area lying in the Iowa/Illinois Mississippi valley. Mercy has more than 50,000 patient visits each year and is licensed for 147 acute care beds, 159 intermediate care beds, 23 dementia care beds and 30 transitional care beds. Answering the public's desire for high quality care at home, Mercy offers home care, hospice, and home medical equipment services through Mercy Home Care & Hospice. Recognizing current and future health care needs, Mercy is continually developing state-of-the-art services such as radiation oncology, renal dialysis, same day surgery, and other outpatient technology.

Helping to care for health needs of the Clinton area is the Mercy medical staff of 58 physicians. Nearly 80% of the medical staff is board certified. One of Mercy's continuing efforts is maintaining the hospital/medical staff relations based on mutual support and trust, facilitating the highest level of care possible to the community.

It is Mercy's fundamental goal to continue taking a leadership role in providing health care services to the people of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. The system is committed to working with other health care providers assuring that a full continuum of excellent, cost-effective health care services are accessible to all. Mercy is equally dedicated to its community as a major employer as well as supporting programs and activities which enhance the community-at-large.

Mercy recognizes that good care includes helping people prevent serious health problems. Health education and wellness activities are ways Mercy assists people in doing this. But not all problems can be prevented, and when difficulties arise...Mercy cares for you.