Our History
Over 100 Years of Quality Care
On October 1, 1906, the first hospital in Watertown – St. Mary’s – opened to the public. Located on Main Street in the building formerly known as the Schiffler residence, the popularity of the hospital was evident from the start, backed by the fact that it was filled to its capacity already on the second day after opening. The downstairs was devoted to a lobby and reception room, nurses' rooms, a three-bed ward, and the kitchen. The upstairs featured two wards with two beds and one with a single bed, making twelve beds in total.
A New Building
On January 5, 1914, a sisterhood took over control of the hospital from the physicians and decided to erect a new building adjacent to the original hospital and connected by a structure which was used as a sun parlor. The great relationship between the community and the hospital, one which continues today, was evident during the construction and fundraising for the hospital. Although World War I took away from the fundraising for the new hospital, citizens were supportive by helping to furnish the rooms.
Building a hospital during World War I wasn’t easy, but the project was completed towards the end of 1918. The equipment at the new hospital was said to be the best available at the time and second to none in the country. The quality of care provided at the hospital was known from miles away. No better testimonial could be given than that expressed by the head of a big Chicago hospital, who was called here during the prevalence of the Spanish influenza when his son-in-law was being cared for. He said: “Watertown should be proud of this splendid institution and should be proud of the great and noble work being done by the sisterhood. It is as complete in every detail as one could wish for.”
Watertown Memorial Hospital
In 1956, the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Ghost, which had operated St. Mary's Hospital for the previous 42 years, decided to sell. A citizens’ meeting was held, and a decision was made to form a hospital association to cope with whatever problems may arise from the sale. In 1957, the Watertown Hospital Association was formed, and officers were elected.
In 1960, the board made the recommendation to build a new hospital with the aid of funds under the federal Hill-Burton Act, which makes available federal funds to assist communities in erecting hospital buildings. In 1961, the hospital was offered to the Watertown Hospital Association and the City of Watertown, a transaction that was completed in 1964 and ended with a change of name to Watertown Memorial Hospital.
In 1971, after more than a decade of planning, fundraising, and building, a new, 120-bed hospital was erected at its current location in the northeast part of the city, just beyond the Highway 16 bypass.
Partnership with Lifepoint Health
After years of additions, including the most recent additions of Harvest Market and the state-of-the-art Emergency and OB Departments, Watertown Memorial Hospital joined forces with Lifepoint Health and became Watertown Regional Medical Center.
As part of the joint venture, Lifepoint Health owned 80 percent of the hospital, while the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation retained a 20 percent ownership stake. Proceeds from the joint venture transaction were used to pay off WRMC’s existing financial obligations, and the remaining assets were used to create a substantial charitable foundation focused on community health.
Founding Member of ScionHealth
In December 2021, following Lifepoint Health's transaction acquiring Kindred Healthcare, Watertown Regional Medical Center became a founding member of the new healthcare system, ScionHealth. Operating approximately 80 hospital campuses across 28 states (including Watertown Regional Medical Center), both ScionHealth and Watertown Regional are focused on driving innovation, serving their communities, and investing in people and technology to deliver compassionate patient care and excellent health outcomes.
As a result of this change, ScionHealth now owns 80 percent of Watertown Regional Medical Center while the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation maintains a 20 percent ownership stake. For more information about ScionHealth, go to www.scionhealth.com.