As we celebrate National Nurses Week, Mercy Hospital would like to thank all of our nurses for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to our patients. Those qualities shine through in everything you do, including our Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Five-Star status and consistently excellent patient experience and safety achievements.

As we celebrate you and your work, we also recommit ourselves to fulfilling the mission established by the Sisters of Mercy 100 years ago – a mission that comes to life every time we help our fellow neighbor. Our hospital’s centennial provides us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in our community. That progress would not be possible without a central role played by our nurses.

The story of Mercy Hospital begins with the Sisters of Mercy providing care for victims of the Spanish flu in Portland toward the end of World War I. Their acts of kindness put the Sisters on a path to help shape healthcare delivery in our region for decades to come.

After rising to the challenge of the flu epidemic, the Sisters once again delivered for Portland by renovating property at Congress and State Streets to create a 25-patient facility. Queen’s Hospital, as it was named, opened on Dec. 12, 1918. Its patient base grew quickly, reflecting the need for additional care in Portland.

Over the next 90 years, a number of important expansions – including the establishment of Mercy’s School of Nursing – took place to address the critical healthcare needs of the community. Today, Mercy is proud to be Portland’s community hospital, and we’re excited with the progress that is being made as we plan to deliver the next century of care.

While healthcare today is more dynamic than ever before, the critical role of nursing will always be a constant. Mercy is working hard to support new nurses and will continue to promote professional growth through our new graduate program and career development tracks.

Throughout Mercy’s history, our nurses and nurse leaders have shaped our approach to carrying out the healing work of Christ by providing clinically excellent, compassionate healthcare for all. As we look ahead at what the future of care will look like in the Greater Portland community, I have no doubt that our nurses will lead the charge.

When you check in for your next medical appointment, or see nurses leaving work at shift change, please thank them and let them know that you appreciate what they do.

 

Bette Neville, MSN, RNC, is Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services at Mercy Hospital.

Copy the Story Link