History

1895

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.

1960s

1964

On December 7, a charter for a Not-for-Profit Corporation was filed.

1966

In January, the City of Ottawa transferred all of the Ryburn assets to the new Not-for-Profit Corporation.

1969

In early 1969, the Ottawa Silica Foundation presented the hospital with a deed to 30 acres of land as a building site.

1970s

1971

• On March 25, the ground breaking ceremony for the new hospital building was held.
• The name of Ryburn Memorial Hospital was officially changed to the Community Hospital of Ottawa.

1974

On April 6, all patients were moved from the old hospital building and the new facility was opened at 1100 East Norris Drive.

1976

• The new facility was accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
• An Outpatient Surgery Department and preadmission testing programs were started in response to a growing need of the community.

1980s

1982

• On October 12, the revised Corporate Bylaws were approved by the Corporate Membership. These Bylaws changed the internal corporate structure to that of a typical corporation, with the officers of the Corporation being the Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen, Secretary and Treasurer. The President of the Corporation will be the Chief Executive Officer.

• Phyllis Leighton was elected the first Chairman of the Board. She is the first woman to serve in this position.

1985

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.

1988

The Care-A-Van transportation service was implemented, run and staffed completely by volunteers.

1989

• Announced a number of changes in the management team. Robert Chaffin was named Vice President of Finance in May and Robert Schmelter began his duties as President in September. They replaced Chuck Moss and Yale Wolk, respectively. Judy Christiansen, Vice President of Patient Services, acted as interim President.

• Purchased 5 lots in the Eastgate Subdivision for $110,000 from US Silica.

1990s

1993

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.

1997

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.

1998

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.

1999

CHO Governing Board decides to add 13,000 square feet to Rehab Services. Celebrate Health presents first program.

2000 to 2010

2001

Rehabilitation Department expansion is completed and occupied.

2004

Completed the Expansion Project involving the GI Lab, Emergency Room, Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy, Laboratory waiting, Conference Room, Surgical storage, Patient Accounting, and Volunteer Services.

2005

• Robert Schmelter passed away after an extended illness in February. Robert Chaffin was named interim CEO until May when he was confirmed as the CEO.

• Contracted with Vissering Construction to build a 3 story, 33,000 sq. ft. building on hospital grounds to house financial and information services and two floors of physician offices.

2006

• Completed the “1050” building in the spring and began occupying with newly recruited physicians – twin OB/Gyn’s, Urology, ENT and Family practice.

• Added full field digital mammography.

2007

• In May, broke ground on 2,000 sq. ft. addition to radiology department, which will house a new MRI unit.
• In August, broke ground on 16,000 sq. ft. cancer center, a joint venture between the hospital, radiation oncologist Dr. Kevin Khater and Illinois Cancer Care.

2008

• Began doing business as Ottawa Regional Hospital & Healthcare Center to communicate the types and levels of services now provided at the facility and to acknowledge the current service area, which extends beyond Ottawa.
• In August, the hospital partners with OSF Saint Francis in the Heart 7-7-7 program to provide fast and accurate care to patients experiencing a heart attack.
• Ottawa Regional adds third level to its parking deck adjacent to the 1050 Medical Office Building in October.
• Ottawa Regional breaks ground on new Outpatient Mental Health Building in November.
• Ottawa Regional begins construction on a two-level parking deck in front of the main hospital; implements shuttle service and valet parking.

2009

• Ottawa Regional remodels medical/surgical patient rooms, giving the unit a hotel-like feel with wall sconces, flat screen TVs, carpeting and window treatments.
• On February 17th, Ottawa Regional closes on property on the Southside of Ottawa owned by Centrue Bank at 401 East McKinley Road.
• Emergency Department honored by OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital for being among the hospitals in its Heart 7-7-7 Network that have good time for getting patient experiencing a heart attack to the cardiac catherization lab at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Of the hospitals in the network, Ottawa Regional is the farthest away.
• On July 21st, the hospital breaks ground on its Marseilles Medical Office building. The 4,400 sq. ft. building will house two primary care physicians. In August, the hospital’s Marseilles Medical Office Building while under construction is recognized as a Green Building of America Award-winning project.
• In September, main entrance with new canopy and upper level of parking deck opens. Upper level of parking deck has 106 spaces. In December, lower level of main hospital parking deck opens. The lower level has 80 spaces for a total of 186 parking spaces directly in front of the main hospital. There is also a designated area for physician parking only.
• On December 31st, closed on a deal to purchase the practice assets of the Ottawa Medical Center, forming a new, for-profit subsidiary of the hospital, Ottawa Regional Medical Center. The new primary group is the largest primary care physician group in LaSalle County.

2010-Current

2010

• Ottawa Regional Medical Center opens new Marseilles facility.
• In July, new CHOICES outpatient mental health facility opens.
• In October, Ottawa Regional signs a letter of intent to explore the possibility of merging with OSF Healthcare System.

2011

• The process of “due diligence” continues between Ottawa Regional and OSF HealthCare as both organizations seek to understand each other’s operations, facilities, policies, and procedures.
• In April, Express Care, a walk-in clinic for acute injuries and illnesses, opened at Ottawa Regional Medical Center. 

2012

• On January 19, a definitive agreement was signed that would eventually result in Ottawa Regional joining the OSF Healthcare System.  The announcement comes after nearly 15 months of due diligence, a process described by the organizations as validating the benefits to the communities they serve. Before a change of ownership occurs, Ottawa Regional’s corporate members must ratify the proposed arrangement and the organizations must receive approval from the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board.
• On March 1, a planned integration of Ottawa Regional Hospital & Healthcare Center into OSF Healthcare System continues to progress after this evening’s special meeting of Corporate Members in Ottawa. The Members, consisting of individuals and organizations from surrounding communities, unanimously approved going forward with the proposed arrangement.
• On April 17, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the Certificate of Exemption application of OSF Healthcare System for a change of ownership of Ottawa Regional Hospital & Healthcare Center.
• On May 1, Ottawa Regional becomes integrated with OSF Healthcare System.  Ottawa Regional adopts a Catholic identity and changes its name to OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center during a blessing and dedication ceremony officiated by the Most Reverend Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of the Peoria Diocese.

2013

• On June 17, OSF MyChart is launched at Ottawa Regional Medical Center to give patients direct online access to portions of their electronic medical records (EMR), including health information, medications, immunizations and more, all for quick retrieval at patients’ convenience.
• On July 12, Brian S. Rosborough, MD is named Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center and Regional Director for OSF Medical Group – I-80 Region. In his position as CMO, Dr. Rosborough participates as an administrative officer of OSF Saint Elizabeth.

2014

• On October 1, a new facility offering sleep studies opens at1601 Mercury Circle, Suite 2.
• Also in October:
  • OSF Saint Elizabeth welcomes Dr. Amit Jamnadas to its medical staff. A full-time nephrology clinic opens in coordination with his arrival. 
  • The hospital acquires 3D Mammography and receives another three-year term of accreditation in mammography by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
  • New pediatricians, Dr. Alejandro (Alex) Marchini and Dr. Pushpa Mamtani, are recruited and begin seeing patients.
• In November, OSF Saint Elizabeth launches a revamped hospitalist program, with Dr. Robert Maguire as its medical director. The program provides better quality of care and patient satisfaction when compared to traditional care by primary physicians in the hospital.
• Also in November, OSF Saint Elizabeth is honored with an “A” grade in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries and infections. The Hospital Safety Score is compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is administered by The Leapfrog Group, an independent industry watchdog.

2015

• In January, Ottawa Regional Medical Center is renamed OSF Medical Group - Ottawa.
• The locations and services associated with OSF Medical Group - Ottawa, which include Marseilles, Occupational Medicine, ENT & Audiology, and Starfire Drive, are also renamed.
• Express Care becomes OSF PromptCare, to be consistent with the naming and branding of all of OSF HealthCare's immediate care, walk-in clinics for minor illnesses and injuries.
• In February, OSF Medical Group - Ottawa expands to include orthopedics and general surgery.
• On March 20, Robert Chaffin retires after 26 years of service to the Ottawa area.
• Ken Beutke is named Interim President and begins serving on March 23.