St. Luke's celebrates 125 years

April 16, 2009 
 
St. Luke’s Hospital was founded after a homeless man was injured in a failed attempt at hoping a freight train. He later died because there was no hospital to treat his injuries. Reverend Samuel Ringgold, pastor of Grace Episcopal Church, came to the dying man’s side after he requested an Episcopal minister.

The following day, Rev. Ringgold spoke at church services on the need for a hospital in Cedar Rapids. He felt the homeless man would not have died had there been a hospital.

This tragic event sparked a community effort to build Cedar Rapids’ first hospital.

According to hospital historical records, the original hospital cost $10,000 to build and on May 7, 1884 the cornerstone was laid for St. Luke’s Hospital. That was 125 years ago. Since then, St. Luke’s Hospital has grown from 15 to 540 beds and serves a seven-county area surrounding Cedar Rapids.

In 1892, a school of nursing was established. The years that followed there were several additions and in 1954, the original 1884 building was demolished.

St. Luke’s today offers a diverse range of patient care services with particular strengths in heart care, physical medicine and rehabilitation, obstetrics and emergency care.

St. Luke's Hospital was named one of the Top 100 Heart Hospitals in 2008, and is the only hospital in the area to earn this distinction. St. Luke’s was also awarded the Top 100 Hospital award two consecutive years (2004 and 2005). The hospital is affiliated with the Iowa Health System and is ranked among the top 25 integrated health systems in the nation.

"St. Luke's has been a healthcare leader in Iowa since its formation as the first hospital in Cedar Rapids 125 years ago," said Ted Townsend, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital. "We were the first to bring many innovations such as intensive care and open-heart and robotic-assisted surgery to our community and we continue to meet the broadest array of community needs of any healthcare facility in our area."

Each year, St. Luke’s Hospital cares for nearly 20,000 inpatients. St. Luke’s Emergency Department is considered one of the busiest in the state – caring for 56,864 people last year. In 2003, St. Luke’s Hospital and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics partnered to create the state’s only emergency medicine residency program. Before this partnership students were forced to leave the state for training. St. Luke’s Emergency Department is also home base to St. Luke’s Lifeguard Air Ambulance, which has been a familiar sight in the skies around Cedar Rapids since 1981. All told, Lifeguard has flown over 6,000 emergency flights.

St. Luke’s is the community’s only hospital to provide open-heart surgery. St. Luke’s is the area's only nationally accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). And the hospital is also home to the area’s only Level II Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Since the beginning, Rev. Ringgold wanted the community to build a hospital which would not only save lives, but improve the quality of living. St. Luke’s mission is to provide the healthcare we’d like our loved ones to receive. It’s mission proudly carried on today by nearly 3,000 associates, 422 doctors and 850 volunteers.


“St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Hospital,” said Townsend. “We’re planning a Family Health Fair to mark the incredible accomplishments that St. Luke’s Hospital has achieved since 1884,” said Townsend. “We believe this is the perfect event to promote the health and well being of the community and to set the stage for continuing this great tradition for another 125 years.”

In addition to the planned Family Health Fair – St. Luke’s is Cedar Rapids’ Baby Hospital. Three out of four babies born in Cedar Rapids start life at St. Luke’s. With this in mind – St. Luke’s is also planning a commemorative photo – inviting anyone born at St. Luke’s to participate.

“The photo will be taken on the same day as the Family Health Fair,” said Laura Rainey, St. Luke’s Hospital Marketing Communications director. “The first 250 people will receive a free t-shirt. We’re hoping for a big turnout. The historic photograph will be displayed in St. Luke’s Women’s and Children’s Center.”

In addition, St. Luke’s commissioned a historic collage. The artwork will be unveiled at a hospital event in the cafeteria on May 7, from 3-4 p.m. Current and former employees, as well as board members are invited. After the unveiling, the collage will be on permanent display on the first floor, near the Nassif Heart Center elevators.

What: St. Luke’s Family Health Fair

Carnival atmosphere fun for individuals of all ages – activities will promote health, disease prevention, nutrition, exercise and there will be games for children.

*This event will go on unless severe weather threatens. If the event is cancelled, an announcement will be posted at stlukescr.org.

When: Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: St. Luke’s Women’s & Children’s Center, parking lot along first avenue between 10th and 11th St.

Who: Free event open to the public

What: “I’m a St. Luke’s Baby” commemorative photo

When: Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m.

Where: Meet near the Helen G. Nassif Pavilion (west entrance, adjacent to ER)

Who: Individuals born at St. Luke’s Hospital, first 400 people receive a free t-shirt and all participants are eligible for a chance to win a Wii.

What: Unveiling of St. Luke’s Historic Collage

When: Thursday, May 7, 3-4 p.m.

Where: St. Luke’s Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation gym, 6th floor

Who: Current and former St. Luke’s employees, Hospital Board of Directors, select community members, news media

To learn more about anniversary events call 319/369-7395.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Corizzo, St. Luke’s Hospital, 319/369-8372 or 319/560-2385.