Genesis Health System is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

health system Health, according to the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".World Health Organization. (2006)''Constitution of the World Health Organiza ...

based in

Davenport, Iowa Davenport is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States. Located along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the state, it is the largest of the Quad Cities, a metropolitan area with a population of 384,324 and a ...

. The system provides health services to multiple communities in Eastern

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

and Western

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

6 different hospitals. Genesis is the largest employer in

Scott County, Iowa Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 174,669, making it the third-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Davenport. Scott County is included in the Davenport– Moline ...

and the third largest in the Quad City area with 5,200 employees. Its President and CEO is Doug Cropper.

History

Genesis originally consisted of two hospitals that joined on May 24, 1994, to form the system. The two founding hospitals were Mercy Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, both in

. The former was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in response to an influenza outbreak in the area in 1869. Today, Genesis operates a total of five hospitals and manages Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, IA.

Mercy Hospital

Established by Mother Mary Borromeo Johnson and the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital received its first patient on December 7, 1869. In 1872, St. Elizabeth's Hospital for the Mentally ill was opened adjacent to Mercy Hospital. Because of the

1918 flu pandemic The 1918–1920 influenza pandemic, commonly known by the misnomer Spanish flu or as the Great Influenza epidemic, was an exceptionally deadly global influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. The earliest documented case was ...

, Mercy Hospital was forced to open an extension in Turner Hall in order to accommodate the patients. In 1924, Mercy Hospital was one of the first hospitals accredited by the

American College of Surgeons The American College of Surgeons is an educational association of surgeons created in 1913.American College of Surgeons Online "What is the American College of Surgeons?"/ref> See also *American College of Physicians The American College o ...

. In 1932, a new wing was opened and in 1954, a new facility replaced the original building. The idea to merge Mercy Hospital and St. Luke's was introduced in 1973 and initially rejected. Another new Mercy Hospital was constructed 1978, with the construction of medical office buildings following just two years later in 1980. In order to fit the needs of a growing patient population, Mercy Hospital announced plans to expand again in 1987. In 1993, the boards of St. Luke's and Mercy Hospital agreed to merge. The merger was completed in 1994.

St. Luke's Hospital

Founded in 1893 at the corner of 8th and Main Street in Davenport, St. Luke's Hospital mainly acted as an emergency care facility. In 1914, St. Luke's relocated to East Rusholme Street, the current location of Genesis Medical Center, East Campus. In 1951 and again in 1964, additions to the new St. Luke's facility were completed.

St. Elizabeth's Fire

On 7 January 1950, a fire destroyed St. Elizabeth's Hospital for the Mentally Ill, killing 41 individuals and injuring 24 others, the majority of which were patients. According to most sources, the fire was caused by Elnora "Ellie" Epperly, a 23-year-old patient who, believing that her husband was in trouble and that she needed to escape, lit curtains with a cigarette lighter. Initially charged with murder, Elnora Epperly never faced trial after an inquest ruled that she was mentally ill and thus couldn't be accounted for her crime. After spending the next several months in an Illinois hospital, Ellie was released into the custody of her husband, John. Now the location of Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park, a small cemetery has been erected in honor of those who died as a result of St. Elizabeth's fire. Sixteen of the 41 victims are buried at the site.

Hospitals

References

{{authority control Davenport, Iowa Hospital networks in the United States Healthcare in Iowa Healthcare in Illinois Companies based in the Quad Cities Medical and health organizations based in Iowa