St. Francis Hospital & Health Center reached a major milestone in 2005 as it commemorated 100 years of providing exceptional health care services to residents of the south suburbs. St. Francis Hospital officially opened its doors March 25, 1905, in a three-story, 30-bed mansion on Gregory Street.

Following is a brief history of our first 100 years and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of our founding sisters who not only helped meet an immediate need for health care in Blue Island – they created a nationally recognized, award-winning hospital dedicated to mission and quality.

The Early Years

At the turn of the century, Blue Island was a thriving town of German immigrants. Factories and businesses were its booming industries, and the town was centrally located for the Chicago Rock Island passenger train service and the Cal-Sag channel. There was even a trolley line that ran from Blue Island to Chicago. But there was something missing - convenient health care for the residents of Blue Island and its surrounding communities.

Local doctors had to look to Chicago to hospitalize their patients. Emergency care was almost unheard of. By the time a patient reached the hospital, it was usually too late. Babies were born at home. Patients with contagious diseases had to be quarantined and cared for by their family.

An answer to Blue Island's needs stepped off the train from St. Louis, MO, in September 1904 - the Sisters of St. Mary. Encouraged by a group of doctors, residents and a parish priest from St. Benedict's Catholic Church, the sisters established a hospital in a three-story mansion on Gregory Street that became St. Francis Hospital & Health Center.

Larger Hospital Needed

Shortly after it opened, plans began to construct a larger hospital, and on May 30, 1916, the new St. Francis Hospital was dedicated with bed capacity at 85 and 15 bassinettes. In 1947, a four-story convent opened to house the sisters who had dedicated themselves to their patients and to the entire Blue Island community.

Just a few years later, with an ever increasing demand for hospital care, St. Francis opened a new wing in 1950 – a four-story brick and stone structure, which brought total patient accommodations up to 145 beds and 30 bassinets.

In 1965, with the cooperation of the City of Blue Island, ground was broken for a new and larger hospital with total capacity of more than 400 patients. The new St. Francis was dedicated Dec. 16, 1967. In the early 1980s, a $24-million building and renovation project provided more parking, a new emergency room and modernization of all facilities.

Major Progress Made

The first open heart surgery – a relatively new procedure at the time – and cardiac catheterization procedures were performed at St. Francis in 1971. The hospital introduced Same Day Surgery and St. Francis Home Health in 1985, and opened a Sleep Disorders Center in 1988.

21st Century Health Care

In October 2003, St. Francis Hospital opened its new, state-of-the-art $34 million expansion. The expansion and renovation consists of a world-class heart center (named after cardiology pioneer Luke R. Pascale, M.D.); comprehensive imaging and diagnostic services; outpatient surgery services; a women’s wellness center; endoscopy unit; and an expanded emergency department with all private treatment areas.