History
Take a journey in time as we identify highlights and key points throughout the history of OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center.
The John Stuart Ryburn Memorial Hospital opened at 713 Clinton Street. The hospital was presented to Ottawa by Cecilia Ryburn, widow of Dr. Ryburn, in whose memory the hospital was erected.
On December 7, a charter for a Not-for-Profit Corporation was filed.
In January, the City of Ottawa transferred all of the Ryburn assets to the new Not-for-Profit Corporation.
In early 1969, the Ottawa Silica Foundation presented the hospital with a deed to 30 acres of land as a building site.
On April 6, all patients were moved from the old hospital building and the new facility was opened at 1100 East Norris Drive.
A parcel of land valued at more than $80,000 was donated to CHO by Ottawa Silica Company. Located in the East Gate Subdivision, the lot lies adjacent to hospital land and is to be used for the construction of medically-related facilities.
The Care-A-Van transportation service was implemented, run and staffed completely by volunteers.
The mental health and substance abuse services unit, formerly the Help Unit, changed its name to CHOICES which is the acronym for CHO Individual Counseling and Evaluation Services. The name change was for product identity and better reflected the changing environment in mental health services.
CHO joined the area’s first stroke network which is coordinated by OSF HealthCare and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. The focus of the network is public education.
The Hospital purchased a 32-acre tract of land across Norris Drive from Skymont Corporation for $320,000. The land begins at the Fox River and extends eastward to meet the parcel of land owned by Gladfelter’s Chapel. The purchase helps expand the Hospital’s options for further development.
CHO Governing Board decides to add 13,000 square feet to Rehab Services. Celebrate Health presents first program.
Rehabilitation Department expansion is completed and occupied.
Completed the Expansion Project involving the GI Lab, Emergency Room, Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy, Laboratory waiting, Conference Room, Surgical storage, Patient Accounting, and Volunteer Services.