Fast facts about St. Joseph's 120-year committment to the residents of Hot Springs and surrounding communities.


The Reverend Patrick McGowan, a devoted friend of the Sisters of Mercy, asked Hot Springs physician Dr. J.M. Keller to buy a building and surrounding property that was suitable for the location of a hospital. McGowan then donated the property and its building, a five-story frame house valued at $10,000, to the Sisters of Mercy. Dr. Keller, a well-known Hot Springs physician of that time, is probably better known today for his famous niece, Miss Helen Keller, who visited Hot Springs several times.

When opened in 1888, the Sisters of Mercy named their new hospital St. Joseph's Infirmary because of their devotion to Joseph, the provider and protector of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph. What started with 30 cots in a frame building has grown 125 years later to a 309-bed hospital and four centers of excellence on a 72-acre medical campus.

The first patient admitted to the hospital in 1888 - by Doctor Charles Drake - was an engineer.

In 1907, the first graduating class of the St. Joseph's Training School of Nursing consisted of four nurses. Today, more than 300 skilled and caring nurses help comprise the Patient Care Services Department at St. Joseph's.

In a 1915 postcard from a patient at St. Joseph’s Infirmary, the following was written to a loved one:
Dear Louise, This is the place I’m staying at. Address all mail to this place. I am feeling pretty well. I have not noticed much improvement yet. Of course can’t expect too much at once. Have had it too easy. Lovely weather down here.

Sister Mary Bernard Ryan, who was assigned as administrator in 1918, was still in that position at the 1927 completion of the new hospital, Arkansas' first $1 million healthcare facility.

Between 1918 and 1920 the Sisters of Mercy fought the catastrophic influenza epidemic. World wide, the epidemic killed 22 million people. In Garland County, the Sisters of Mercy and an emergency ambulance team cared for thousands.

In 1921, the St. Joseph's Medical Staff was organized and consisted of 40 doctors. Today's St. Joseph's medical staff has grown more than five times that amount to approximately 200 skilled physicians.  

From 1927 to 1965, thermal mineral baths were available on the second floor of St. Joseph's. A a single bath in 1927 cost $1.15, including the attendant's fee. Only one bath a day was allowed, and in that era, St. Joseph's Bathhouse would give as many as 60 baths a day.

 In 1927, St. Joseph's fundraising efforts for the new hospital included the underwriting of 50 beds by corporations and individuals who pledged or "subscribed" $500 a year for five years. During the five-year period, the '"subscriber" had the right, in case of illness, to occupy the bed in person or designate it to a friend without additional cost. Today, donations to St. Joseph's Mercy Health Foundation support new programs, advanced technology, community outreach and service expansion for the hospital.

In 1928, Sister Mary Bernard Ryan, a missionary from Ireland, became the superior at St. Joseph's Infirmary.   Sister Bernard traveled nationwide to observe advances in hospital service and incorporate the best into the new hospital. She is called "the builder of Arkansas' first million-dollar hospital."

In 1930, the yearbook of St. Joseph's Training School of Nursing offered the Ten Commandments of Health, including "honor thy daily bath and shower."

In 1952, the hospital received its first accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.

With groundbreaking in 1988, the $75 million St. Joseph's Regional Health Center was completed two and a half months ahead of schedule in 1991. On December 18, 1991, every patient in the old building was moved to the new center, with the help of ambulances and the National Guard.