Galesburg’s oldest and longest operating hospital is celebrating an anniversary.
Fifty years ago, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 1974, St. Mary’s Hospital moved from its original location at 239 S. Cherry St. to its current home at 3333 N. Seminary St. After serving the community since September 1909, the relocation marked a pivotal milestone that enabled St. Mary to expand and modernize its facilities to meet the growing healthcare needs of Galesburg and surrounding areas.
Over the decades, OSF St. Mary has made significant investments to ensure quality healthcare for the Galesburg area. These investments include the development of advanced patient care units, cutting-edge medical technology upgrades, and expansion of specialized healthcare services.
Recent projects have included a variety of significant upgrades to OSF St. Mary Medical Center:
- Family Birthing Center: This center was designed to offer a warm, home-like setting for labor, delivery, and recovery, providing both comfort and compassionate care.
- Comprehensive Surgical Center, Center for Outpatient Services, and Laboratory Expansion: These spaces were renovated in multiple phases, with an additional 10,000 square feet added to meet demand for services.
- Brick and Window Replacement Project: In an extensive project, 235,000 bricks and 140 windows were replaced to enhance the facility’s structural integrity and energy efficiency.
In total, the recent projects represent an investment of nearly $30 million.
Additional recent developments include:
- 2022: Opened a new helicopter hangar on campus to support 24/7 emergency transportation and launched OSF PromptCare in the former Cottage Hospital Emergency Department, along with upgrades to the hospital’s elevators.
- 2023: Opened OSF OnCall Urgent Care Clinic and launched the new Center for Health.
- 2024: Opened its radiation oncology facility, further expanding cancer care services.
OSF St. Mary Medical Center is currently embarking on a 7,000-square-foot expansion of its Emergency Department, adding six exam rooms and an additional triage room to accommodate the growing need for emergency services.
Lisa DeKezel, president of OSF St. Mary and OSF Holy Family Medical Center, said they are looking forward to the future.
“As OSF St. Mary looks ahead to the next 50 years, our vision remains centered on delivering compassionate, innovative healthcare,” she said. “We are committed to further facility enhancements, continued investments in advanced medical technology, and addressing the evolving health needs of our community.
“Our goal is to remain a trusted healthcare leader in Galesburg, providing accessible, state-of-the-art care while partnering with local organizations to promote overall community well-being.”
