FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 30, 2009 

The Sisters of Mercy Reaffirm Their Commitment to the Region

When the Sisters of Mercy assumed sponsorship of St. Francis Hospital in Washington and renamed it St. John’s Mercy Hospital, they made a commitment to the community. The organization recently reaffirmed that 1976 commitment by funding the new David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Hospital.

“We recognized that many patients drive to St. Louis to receive cancer treatments,” said Terri L. McLain, president of St. John’s Mercy Hospital. “We committed to providing a cancer center with advanced radiation therapies for patients in our area. We are grateful to the Sisters and our health system leaders for helping us bring these services close to home for our patients.”

The cancer center is the latest in a decades-long promise the Sisters of Mercy made to serve the people of the greater Washington area.

“When the board members of St. Francis Hospital approached St. John’s Mercy Medical Center for our involvement, health care was becoming more complex. The board wanted the hospital to be part of a larger health care entity,” said Sister Mary Roch Rocklage, RSM, who was president of St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis from 1969-1979.

“Over time, we met with the St. Francis Hospital board and learned about the area,” she said. “We saw there was a need for our services and we felt we had the ability to serve. We made a commitment that the hospital would have all of the services a community its size should have.”  

Sister Roch said the decision was not a matter of business.

“We are not in health services for ourselves. The Sisters of Mercy exist to serve. We use our assets for the benefit of this healing ministry. What we receive for providing health care services is always returned for the benefit of the local community,” she said. “Being a not-for-profit entity allows us and calls us to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people who need our services.”

Dr. Thomas Riechers, chief of staff at St. John’s Mercy Hospital, said patients should feel a sense of confidence and service when they come to the hospital or use other St. John’s Mercy services.

“As a nonprofit hospital, our profits are returned for things like needed medical equipment, new physicians and programs that directly benefit patient care,” he said. “As a faith-based entity, decisions are guided by compassion. Patients know that when they come to us for care, they will receive high-quality care from providers who are personally concerned for their well-being. It all comes full circle – we are here for the community, and we couldn’t be here without the community’s support.”       

Dr. Riechers began practicing medicine at the hospital in 1993. Since then, he has seen the health system invest in the hospital to enhance patient care. Mercy opened new physician offices in Gerald, Union and Pacific and renovated the St. John’s Mercy Medical Building with physician offices and many health services. Recent enrichments include physician hospitalist and intensivist programs for patients while they are hospitalized, as well as a new surgery center, a new cardiac catheterization laboratory and now the David C. Pratt Cancer Center.

“The health system has invested financially in our community. We are actively planning for future growth, which shows commitment to the people we serve,” Dr. Riechers said.

What is to come is based on what the area needs, said Sister Reine-Marie Martin, RSM, even if it might come with challenges. “The Sisters of Mercy have never been afraid of challenges. We work toward solutions because we are committed to serving,” she said.

The hospital is a nationally recognized and accredited facility. It has accreditations with the Joint Commission, the College of American Pathologists, and the state of Missouri as Level III Trauma Center. The hospital received the Primaris Quality Award for Clinical Excellence in 2005.

“While we are a small hospital compared to counterparts in major metropolitan areas, the quality is top-notch. We offer advanced technology for diagnosing and treating illnesses. Our link to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center allows us to offer highly specialized services in a coordinated manner,” said Dr. Riechers. “Patients receive excellent care, delivered in a compassionate and neighborly way. In addition to that, patients have the luxury of not having to drive too far from home to receive excellent care.”

Dr. Riechers added that people don’t have to see Mercy affiliated doctors to have tests performed or to be admitted at St. John’s Mercy Hospital. 

“If patients want to have their tests performed or want to be admitted to our hospital rather than someplace else, all they have to do is tell their doctor. Most doctors are understanding of what their patients want and will be accommodating,” Riechers said. “We accept patients regardless of their ability to pay, and we accept any health insurance plan and Medicare and Medicaid plans. If someone is in doubt about any of these things, they are more than welcome to call us.”

The Sisters of Mercy are reaffirming that they will continue to introduce new services and expand existing services.

“We are here for the community,” said Sister Roch. “We will continue to grow and provide high-quality services. We’re committed to serving here.”

St. John's Mercy Health Care is a member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System. St. John's Mercy Health Care is a leading health care organization that includes St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, St. John's Mercy Hospital in Washington, Mo., Mercy Medical Group, St. John's Mercy Health Services and St. John's Mercy Health Network.

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