St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center About Us Our History

Our History

The relationship between HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center and Green Bay dates back to 1900, when the Misericorde Sisters came to Green Bay to open a home for unwed mothers and their babies.

Early Days

 

In 1903, the hospital and a nurse training school opened in a building on the corner of Webster Avenue and Crooks Street. The hospital was originally sponsored by the Misericorde Sisters of Montreal, Canada.

The first expansion included two additional stories and a new wing, and was finished in 1912. During the next 30 years the hospital grew to cover the block bounded by South Webster Avenue, Crooks, Clay and Chicago Streets.

Relocation

 

In 1960, responding to the request of the Bishop of Green Bay for a Catholic hospital on Green Bay's growing west side, the Sisters relocated their entire campus to its current site on Shawano Avenue. The community greatly appreciated this move, especially having emergency services available west of the river.

As the economics of health care delivery were changing dramatically, the Misericorde Sisters made the difficult decision to end sponsorship of St. Mary's in 1973. The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, urged by Bishop Wycislo, assumed sponsorship in 1974. Since that time the Franciscans have worked diligently to maintain high-quality care and improve the capital and equipment base of the facility.

New Growth

 

In 1979, ground was broken for necessary new facilities. The new hospital opened as the first all private-room hospital in Northeast Wisconsin in the fall of 1981.

The Family Birthing Center was added in 1988 as well as an enlargement and renovation of St. Mary's Emergency Center.

In July 1989, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital of Chippewa Falls opened Libertas, a 24-bed inpatient facility for chemically dependent adolescents on the HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center campus.

In 1992, a major ambulatory wing was added including outpatient surgery, advanced radiology and diagnostic services, respiratory care, pulmonary medicine and a new education center. Many doctors at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center enjoy the convenience of a connected office complex that features modern services, dedicated parking and a private entrance. This part of the campus was developed during the 1990s and currently is home to more than 40 medical providers.

Partnership and Care

 

In 1996, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center joined with HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, Beaumont-Webster Clinic and West Side Clinic to form Prevea Health Services, Inc., an integrated health care delivery system. Together, we provide the most advanced and comprehensive services available to people from all over Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With a partnership among our physicians, staff and the community, we are well-positioned to keep pace with the changing health care needs of our community.

Today, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center provides care for patients in such areas as our orthopedic Bone and Joint Center, Center for Digestive Health, Emergency, Center for Heart Health and our many other medical and surgical services.

Present Day

 

A regional cancer center opened on HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center's campus in January 2010 as part of the Regional Cancer Collaborative. The center offers patients expanded space for chemotherapy with the addition of radiation therapy and other cancer treatment services provided in one convenient west-side location. The 115,000 square foot addition, along with a 22,000 square foot rooftop healing garden will be a state-of the-art model for cancer care throughout eastern Wisconsin. 

Since 1900, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center has been recognized for its distinctive, compassionate patient care and strong commitment to the community. Today, the hospital is continuing the tradition of the Sisters -- to care for the health needs of the community. HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center stands ready to live our values by treating patients with respect, care, competence and joy.