Our Lady of Mercy Hospital
| Our Lady of Mercy Hospital | |
|---|---|
 A view of the vacant 1957 building | |
| Established | 1943 |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Closed | 2002 |
| Current Status | Closed |
| Location | Vicksburg, MS |
| Architecture Style | Mid-Century |
| Alternate Names |
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Our Lady of Mercy, later known as the "Parkview Regional Medical Center" is a former hospital and healthcare facility that was in operation for over a century. The hospital has roots in the Sisters of Mercy, who brought education and healthcare services to the Vicksburg area starting in the 1860s.
History[edit]
Mary Sales Brown lead the Sisters of Mercy to Vicksburg in 1860, where they established a school. This new school brought education to the area which had no formal schools. However, the school would be closed during the Civil War, for the Sisters abandoned it to avoid danger from the war. They returned and nursed wounded soldiers. Then, in 1864, another school was established. During an 1878 outbreak of yellow fever, the Sisters assisted the city hospital where they provided nursing care.
In 1943, the Sisters assumed control of a hospital and now renamed it "Mercy Hospital." Under this new name, the hospital would serve the city for 50 years. A new building was erected in 1957 and was considered a state-of-the-art facility at the time of it's construction.
A 1957 article from the Vicksburg Evening Post describes the new facility: The hospital proper is divided into nine parts. These include the Administration, Adjunct Facilities, including Pathology, Radio and X-Ray Therapy, Hydro Therapy, Electro Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing Facilities, Nursery, Formula Preparation, Surgical Department, Obstetrics, Emergency Service Facilities.
The Administration suite is adjacent to the main front entrance. It connect to the walk leading to the chapel, and nursing school. Space is provided for main lobby and waiting rooms, admitting office, Social services office, Information, PBX and tube room. Administrator, Secretary Director of Nurses, Director of Nurses, Director of Nursing Service, Director of Personnel, Purchasing office, Business office, Bookkeeping and Insurance offices, Business machines office, Record room, Staff lounge, Chaplain’s office, and Reference library is on the top floor. Drugs from the pharmacy will be dispensed to out patients through the business office with pharmacy located directly behind the business office.
The hospital was sold in 1991 to Quorum Healthcare and the facility was renamed the "Parkview Regional Medical Center." It operated there for the next decade before shuddering in 2002.
The seven-story, 330,000 square feet complex was listed for sale in 2017 at the price of 2.1 million dollars.
Since abandonment, the hospital has held host to mock military training events in 2021. Currently the city of Vicksburg is attempting to redevelop the facility while retaining the original complex. The building was also featured on a list of 19 vacant buildings that the city mayor wants up to code.
References[edit]
- Vicksburg Evening Post, Tuesday, May 7, 1957, p. 1ff.
- "Mercy's History in Mississippi" Mercy.net Retrieved 8 December 2021. [1]
- Malvaney, EL. (28 March 2012) "Abandoned Mississippi: Vicksburg’s Mercy Hospital" Misspreservation,com Retrieved 8 December 2021. [2]
- Surratt, J. (27 February 2021) "Program at Mercy Hospital brings military-like experience to city" The Vicksburg Post Retrieved 8 December 2021. [3]
- "Location Information" MDAH.gov Accessed 8 December 2021. [4]
- Surratt, J. (3 July 2017) "ParkView up for sale, with a 2.1M asking price" The Vicksburg Post Retrieved 8 December 2021. [5]
- Surratt, J. (5 April 2019) "Mayor lists 19 buildings he wants up to code" 'The Vicksburg Post Retrieved 8 December 2021. [6]
