Mercy Methodist Hospital history

With de facto segregation striking at the heart of African Americans in Omaha since 1854, it should come as no surprise that most of North Omaha’s hospitals were segregated.

1857 Sisters of Mercy come by riverboat to Sacramento, beginning their ministry in the capital.

In 1890, the Presbyterians opened their hospital at 1626 Wirt Street in North Omaha.

The Methodist Episcopal Hospital and Deaconess’ Home Association started in 1891.

1895 Doctor Simmons persuades the Sisters of Mercy to purchase Ridge Home and the block surrounding it.

The Salvation Army Rescue Home and Maternity Hospital was established at 3824 North 24th Street in 1896.

1897 Sisters of Mercy begin their healthcare ministry in Sacramento by opening Mater Misericordiae Hospital (becomes known as Sisters' Hospital).

The original hospital at this location was opened in 1900, and was called Bethany Hospital.

Opened in 1901, the first Wise Memorial Hospital was built by the Jewish community of Omaha.

In 1902, Wise Hospital moved to the former J.J. Brown estate at 2225 Sherman Avenue.

They bought the former home of Omaha pioneer John McCreary and launched the hospital to serve the community in 1905.

1911 Woodland Healthcare is established.

As with other physician-run private hospitals, Nicholas Senn Hospital, located at 501 Park Ave., at the corner of Dewey Avenue, was built as an investment and expansion of private practice. It was opened in 1912 by Albert P. Condon, M.D., who named his hospital for a late-19th century Chicago surgeon who'd also been his professor of surgery at Rush Medical College.

In 1914, it was advertised that “the hospital has no medical or surgical staff; the hospital is open to the medical profession.” They stopped advertising late that year, and there’s no further mention of the facility.

Established in 1917, St Luke’s Hospital was located at 2121 Lake Street.

1919 The Sisters purchase a seven-acre dairy site at 40th & J streets to build a new hospital.

In the 60 to 70 years of Omaha's history prior to 1920, other hospitals came and went, as well.

The Swedish Mission Hospital transitioned into a new organization in 1924.

1890s Doctor G.L. Simmons starts Ridge Home, a small sanitarium at 22nd & R streets. It operated at 23rd and R streets until 1925, when the Sisters opened Mercy General Hospital at 40th and J Streets.

In actuality, they come from an April 1928 article, "Omaha: A Great Medical Center," in Omaha's Own Magazine & Trade Review, which billed itself as "a journal of constructive optimism."

A last minute bid to save the it didn’t work, and in 1938 the church sold the hospital to the Salvation Army for $50,000.

1954 Mercy General Hospital adds East Wing to accommodate 115 beds and other clinical, maternity and surgical facilities.

1958 Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is established.

1962 Twin Lakes Community Hospital opened in Folsom.

1965 Current Woodland Healthcare hospital opens on corner of Cottonwood and Gibson streets.

1967 Mercy San Juan Hospital is established.

1973 Methodist Hospital is established.

Immanuel Hospital moved to 72nd and Sorensen Parkway in 1974.

According to a 1975 article in the Omaha Star, Doctor Roscoe C. Riddle was the chief physician and surgeon, along with two doctors and six nurses.

In 1978, St Joseph’s Hospital moved to N. 30th and California Streets in North Omaha.

1979 Mercy Hospice is established.

1980 Sisters of Mercy acquire Twin Lakes Community Hospital and renames it Mercy Hospital of Folsom.

1986 Mercy Sleep Center opens.

1987 Catholic Healthcare West is established when Sisters of Mercy in Auburn combine their health ministry with the Sisters of Mercy in Burlingame.

1989 Sisters of Mercy open new 95-bed Mercy Hospital of Folsom on Creekside Drive in Folsom, located on a 26-acre property donated by the Cummings and Tsakopoulos families.

1990 Cardiac Cath Lab opens and cardiac surgery begins at Mercy San Juan.

1993 Methodist Hospital affiliates with Mercy Healthcare Sacramento.

The North Omaha Community Care Council was founded in 1996 as an idea and concept introduced to the faculty and staff of University of Nebraska Medical Center.

1998 Woodland Healthcare takes over Yolo Adult Day Health Center.

2000 Mercy San Juan Trauma Center receives American College of Surgeons verification.

2001 Name is changed to Mercy San Juan Medical Center.

2006 Mercy San Juan is recognized by five health plans for being among top 10% of California hospitals for quality patient care.

2007 Methodist Hospital physician, Stephen Howell, MD, performs first custom-fit total knee replacement (OtisKnee) in the United States Mercy San Juan is named in 100 Top Hospitals in nation by Thomson.

2008 Newly constructed 25-bed all-private room Cummings Emergency Pavilion opens at Mercy Hospital of Folsom.

While OPPD announced they are transitioning coal out of the plant in 2014, the plant continues to spew pollution across North Omaha right now.