Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

nearly two years. and would cost nearly the same as a
new structure. Even then. an adddition would be
required. as the the present building is not large
enough for modern services.
"ln 1949. 1150 patients were admitted. and 307
babies were born. The average stay of a patient was 5-
45 days. Income from patients was the greatest in the
history of the hospital. $80,710.55. The expenses were
$7l.907. exclusive of usual repair work. The cost per
day for caring for the patient was $10.60. Had the six
Sisters been paid the prevailing salaries. there would
have been an additional cost of $22,000. raising the
cost-figure to $93,807.
Some of our new neighboring hospitals are
confronted with this problem. and in order to meet the
cost. their rates are two dollars a day above ours. Ward
rates are $5; double room 86.50; and private rooms.
$8.50 per day at Mercy Hospital. The federal grant-inaid
for hospital construction has encouraged the
building of modem hospitals in smaller towns. Those
approved. are fumished with one-third of the cost. an
indication that hospital construction is costly. People
conducting hospitals are unable to pay for their
construction.
"Sisters do not wish to leave Anamosa. We trust that
some good has been done within the walls of Mercy
Hospital for members of nearly every family in our
vicinity. During the years. all who were ill were
admitted. except for contagious cases. which we had no
facilities to care for. Such patients were recommended
to other larger institutions for special treatment. by
their physicians.
“ We hope and pray that we may continue here. and
that the good citizens will make that possible. If we
leave. it will be with regret. We thank all of our good
friends. of all faiths. who have patronized our hospital
during the years."
Two fund-drives were attempted; one for $100,000
and the other for $ 150.000. Neither one was successful.
Consequently. a $35,000 remodeling project was
completed in late 1950. and the Sisters of Mercy
continued to serve the community. busier than ever. in
the remodeled facility. More doctors in the area. and a
qualified surgeon. saved patients the drive to Cedar
Rapids. or Iowa City. for these services. The hospital's
44 beds were usually filled.
In 1959. 2.361 patients were discharged. There were
202 births: 288 surgical patients; 1.166 X-Ray patients:
and 13.450 laboratory procedures were performed.
In 1961. the State Department of Public Health
revised their standards and the hospital was unable to
meet the qualifications for an acute-care hospital under
the new demands. The surgery room lacked a nonconductive
floor: there was inadequate ventilation. and
the corridors were too narrow.
In 1964. the Sisters voted to withdraw from the
Anamosa facility. This came about when community
civic leaders spearheaded a fund-drive to finance a new
hospital to be owned by the town. and operated by the
Sisters. This was done without consulting the Sisters
as to the site. or where they would fit into the picture.
Discussions between the two groups resulted in an
amicable agreement.
In 1964. construction began on a new 38-bed
hospital. through money from local fund-raisers; the
Hill-Burton Foundation; and $50,000 from the Sisters
of Mercy.
The new building was constructed north of the
original structure. and Dec. 12. 1965. the transfer into
the new facility began by moving the patients. This was
done with very little disruption in care or procedures.
under the direction of Sister Mary Ellen Flaherty. Dr. A.
P. Randolph. Dr. John L. Bailey. and Dr. Gerald F.
Brown. A dedicated staff of nurses. nurses aides and
volunteer help from citizens of the community made
the move much more effortless than seemed possible.
The old stone building was razed and the site was
made into a parking lot.
The new Anamosa Community Hospital was
dedicated May 15. 1966.
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Aerial view shows contrast of the new Anamosa
Community Hospital. in foreground. and Mercy
Hospital. When the new hospital began
operation. the Mercy Hospital building was torn down
and replaced by a parking area. This photo was taken
by Tom Powell III. while flying with Wes Kleineck.
(Journal-Eureka photo)
Wrecking ball at work on Anamosa Mercy Hospital
in I966.
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