Mercy celebrates 125 years with flag ceremony
Linda Cooper, credentialing and privacy coordinator for Mercy, and George Roden, director of operations and human resources for Mercy, presented the symbolic flags at an event on Thursday afternoon, celebrating Mercy’s 125th year.
January 27, 2016
Charlea Mills
On Thursday, Mercy Hospital in Cassville had a special flag presentation to commemorate 125 years for the hospital group. The flags presented were hoisted on the hospitals poles later in the afternoon, where they will stay for the next year as a reminder of the legacy of the hospital and its humble beginnings.
Cassville hospital administrator Doug Stroemel opened the ceremony in a conference room of the hospital. He shared the importance of the event and the pride staff has of the long history Mercy has in the Southwest Missouri community. Stroemel shared, “To me, the most important part to be at Mercy is to be a part of faith-based healthcare.” Stroemel invited chaplain Sid Allsbury to lead an invocation before the actual ceremony.
To remind the group of employees in attendance of how Mercy go its start, Sister Cabrini Koelsch joined via a phone conference due to the inclement weather. She told of how they got their start in Springfield in the early 1800’s before the first building was completed in 1891. The nuns often faced torment and violence due to being misunderstood back when they began, even being accused of witchcraft.
The first two maintenance men for the sisters took their positions after being nursed back to health. The nuns started out sitting on orange crates and eating off of box tops. Sr. Koelsch said, “We’ve come a long way from when the sisters used a chicken coop door as a stretcher.”
In closing, she said, “They had one goal: to bring the will of God.” This is something that Mercy says they carry on today.
Two flags were presented at the ceremony, carried by George Roden, the director of operations and human resources, and Linda Cooper, credentialing and privacy coordinator. The flags were hoisted up outside later that afternoon, following the presentation.
Stroemel said, “These flags serve as a symbolic representation of the last 125 years of Mercy.”
According to a press release, Mercy Springfield Communities now have six hospitals, three speciality hospitals, almost 700 doctors and thousands of co-workers and clinic locations. Their mission statement remains, “To bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus.”
Stroemel said, “The foundation put in place by the Sisters remains solid. At every turn, we’re improving the technology and services we provide so we can reach more people than ever before.”
Charlea Mills
On Thursday, Mercy Hospital in Cassville had a special flag presentation to commemorate 125 years for the hospital group. The flags presented were hoisted on the hospitals poles later in the afternoon, where they will stay for the next year as a reminder of the legacy of the hospital and its humble beginnings.
Cassville hospital administrator Doug Stroemel opened the ceremony in a conference room of the hospital. He shared the importance of the event and the pride staff has of the long history Mercy has in the Southwest Missouri community. Stroemel shared, “To me, the most important part to be at Mercy is to be a part of faith-based healthcare.” Stroemel invited chaplain Sid Allsbury to lead an invocation before the actual ceremony.
To remind the group of employees in attendance of how Mercy go its start, Sister Cabrini Koelsch joined via a phone conference due to the inclement weather. She told of how they got their start in Springfield in the early 1800’s before the first building was completed in 1891. The nuns often faced torment and violence due to being misunderstood back when they began, even being accused of witchcraft.
The first two maintenance men for the sisters took their positions after being nursed back to health. The nuns started out sitting on orange crates and eating off of box tops. Sr. Koelsch said, “We’ve come a long way from when the sisters used a chicken coop door as a stretcher.”
In closing, she said, “They had one goal: to bring the will of God.” This is something that Mercy says they carry on today.
Two flags were presented at the ceremony, carried by George Roden, the director of operations and human resources, and Linda Cooper, credentialing and privacy coordinator. The flags were hoisted up outside later that afternoon, following the presentation.
Stroemel said, “These flags serve as a symbolic representation of the last 125 years of Mercy.”
According to a press release, Mercy Springfield Communities now have six hospitals, three speciality hospitals, almost 700 doctors and thousands of co-workers and clinic locations. Their mission statement remains, “To bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus.”
Stroemel said, “The foundation put in place by the Sisters remains solid. At every turn, we’re improving the technology and services we provide so we can reach more people than ever before.”
