This year marks a historic milestone for Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center as it celebrates 170 years of healing, service and compassion. Founded in 1855 by the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, also known as the “Grey Nuns,” the hospital has grown from a small refuge for Toledo’s most vulnerable into a nationally recognized center of medical excellence.

At a time when Toledo was grappling with immense disease and recovering from a deadly cholera epidemic, a local Catholic priest called upon the Grey Nuns to “raise orphans and help cure the sick.” Less than a month after arriving in the winter of 1855, the sisters opened their arms to the first orphaned child in need of their care. Caring for children was at the very heart of their mission, offering not just shelter, but safety, love, and dignity to the most vulnerable. Just weeks later, the Sisters also cared for their first patient, extending that same compassion to the sick. 

From these humble beginnings, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center was born—Toledo’s first hospital, and a lasting testament to the spirit of service that continues to guide the ministry today.

“This anniversary is more than a reflection on our past, it’s a powerful reminder of our purpose,” said Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health – Toledo. “For 170 years, our ministry has answered the call to care for the poor, sick and vulnerable. As we look to the future, we will continue delivering compassionate, high-quality care, while also advancing growth and innovation to meet the evolving needs of our community for generations to come.”
Located on its current site since 1858, the hospital was renamed St. Vincent Medical Center in 1983 to reflect its growing capabilities. Over the decades, it has become a cornerstone of health care in northwest Ohio, known for pioneering innovation and clinical excellence.

Among its many contributions to regional health care was the creation of Life Flight, the region’s first emergency air medical service, which took flight on August 15, 1979. It was the first of its kind in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and one of only two nationwide to carry both an emergency physician and a specially trained flight nurse aboard each mission. 

Today, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center is home to:

  • A Level I Trauma Center
  • Four Life Flight air ambulances
  • The Mercy Health Heart and Vascular Institute
  • The Mercy Health Neuroscience Institute
  • The region’s first burn center
  • Mercy Health – Trauma Recovery Center, which provides evidence-based therapy to adults, teens, and children through our team of Certified Clinical Trauma Therapists
  • A range of outpatient specialty clinics including plastics, urology, gastroenterology, trauma and more

In the spirit of our Foundress’ calling to help children and with concern for the high infant mortality rate in the community surrounding St. Vincent Medical Center, Mercy Health created the Getting Healthy Zone. This community-driven initiative works to increase infant vitality, improve the health of residents and create a community where people want to live, work and visit.

Getting Healthy Zone has been instrumental in successfully decreasing the infant mortality rate to 0 in 2024 within the three census tracts where the program focuses its efforts.

“For 170 years, generations of Toledoans have placed their trust in Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, not just for healing, but for hope. As the city’s first hospital, our enduring bond with this community is rooted in compassion and mercy, and it is that bond that inspires us every day to serve and advance our healing ministry,” said Jeff Dempsey, president, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. “We’re proud of our legacy and look forward to our future.”

That legacy also includes a long-standing role as a teaching hospital, with deep roots in education and professional training. Since the late 1800s, Mercy Health – St. Vincent has prepared the next generation of healthcare professionals. Today, the medical center offers nine competitive residency programs and serves as a clinical teaching site for institutions such as the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Our Foundresses were visionary women who answered a call and gave their lives in service to others,” said Jennifer Discher, vice president of Mission, Mercy Health - Toledo. “Their legacy lives on in every life we touch, and their example calls us forward, challenging us to serve with the same devotion and compassion that filled their works.”

As Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center looks ahead, it remains a vital part of Ohio’s largest health system and the fifth-largest Catholic health care system in the country, continuing to innovate, serve and heal with faith and compassion, just as it did in 1855.

For more information about Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, visit mercy.com.