Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital is celebrating 75 years of serving the Urbana community.
The hospital held a 75th anniversary ceremony Thursday in its outpatient wing, bringing together hospital representatives and community leaders to recognize the facility’s history and look ahead to the future.
The hospital was first envisioned by local business and civic leaders in 1944 and opened in September 1951 as Mercy Memorial Hospital. It became Urbana’s first hospital, opening as a 50-bed facility founded by the Sisters of Mercy.
Over the past 75 years, the hospital has changed and expanded as health care needs have evolved.
Today, Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital operates as a critical access hospital, providing emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgical and specialty services.
The hospital’s services include emergency care, orthopedics, oncology, sleep medicine and rehabilitation. It is also recognized by The Joint Commission as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital and by the American Heart Association as a Rural Stroke Gold center for excellence in stroke care.
The anniversary ceremony included a prayer from Mike Adamson, vice president of mission for Mercy Health’s Springfield market, opening remarks from Houseman and recognition led by Kristy Kohl McCready, president of the Mercy Health Foundation of Clark & Champaign Counties.
Champaign County Commissioner Tim Cassady delivered closing remarks.
The event also included a ribbon cutting, photos, a tour of the facility and refreshments.
The Urbana hospital campus has seen a number of changes over the years, including renovations to the pharmacy, outpatient laboratory, emergency department and inpatient units. On-site mammography services have also been added.
In 2025, the Urbana Cancer Center opened, offering hematology and oncology services, infusion therapy and nurse navigation.
The hospital has also expanded programs outside of traditional hospital care, including Community Paramedicine, which connects patients with follow-up services and other resources after leaving the hospital.
The 75th anniversary marks seven and a half decades since the hospital first opened its doors in Urbana in 1951.
