Encyclopedia Dubuque
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XAVIER HOSPITAL: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:xavier.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Xavier Hospital was opened in 1949. Photo courtesy--Bob Reding]]XAVIER HOSPITAL. Former health-care provider on Windsor Avenue. Opened in 1949, Xavier had 132 beds and was operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis. The facility had Dubuque's first intensive-care unit and first recovery room and cared for Dubuque's [[POLIO]] victims in the months prior to the announcement of a vaccine. | [[Image:xavier.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Xavier Hospital was opened in 1949. Photo courtesy--Bob Reding]]XAVIER HOSPITAL. Former health-care provider on Windsor Avenue. Opened in 1949, Xavier had 132 beds and was operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis. The facility had Dubuque's first intensive-care unit and first recovery room and cared for Dubuque's [[POLIO]] victims in the months prior to the announcement of a vaccine. In 1974 the hospital was honored for its twenty-five year membership in the Catholic Hospital Association. (1) | ||
Xavier's census often exceeded 100%. Patients were "doubled-up" in rooms. Beds were occasionally placed in corridors as the hospital cared for polio victims in 1953-54. | Xavier's census often exceeded 100%. Patients were "doubled-up" in rooms. Beds were occasionally placed in corridors as the hospital cared for polio victims in 1953-54. | ||
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[[Image:xaviercards.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Deck of advertising playing cards. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding.]]The former hospital was saved from demolition in 1989 when Windsor Park Retirement Center was renovated by George and Gene Kennedy with the assistance of a City Council approved tax abatement arrangement. The grand opening was held on January 21 and 22, 1989. The first administrator of the Center was Paul G. Gabrielson, the former administrator of [[BETHANY HOME]] for fifteen years. | [[Image:xaviercards.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Deck of advertising playing cards. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding.]]The former hospital was saved from demolition in 1989 when Windsor Park Retirement Center was renovated by George and Gene Kennedy with the assistance of a City Council approved tax abatement arrangement. The grand opening was held on January 21 and 22, 1989. The first administrator of the Center was Paul G. Gabrielson, the former administrator of [[BETHANY HOME]] for fifteen years. | ||
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1. "Xavier Hospital Honored," Telegraph Herald, June 3, 1974, p. 2. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=II1FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9LwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4815,266233&dq=xavier+hospital&hl=en | |||
Source: "175 Years" Vol. II ''Telegraph Herald'', p. 93 | Source: "175 Years" Vol. II ''Telegraph Herald'', p. 93 | ||
[[Category: Health Care]] | [[Category: Health Care]] | ||
Revision as of 18:21, 20 October 2013
XAVIER HOSPITAL. Former health-care provider on Windsor Avenue. Opened in 1949, Xavier had 132 beds and was operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis. The facility had Dubuque's first intensive-care unit and first recovery room and cared for Dubuque's POLIO victims in the months prior to the announcement of a vaccine. In 1974 the hospital was honored for its twenty-five year membership in the Catholic Hospital Association. (1)
Xavier's census often exceeded 100%. Patients were "doubled-up" in rooms. Beds were occasionally placed in corridors as the hospital cared for polio victims in 1953-54.
The use of the hospital began to decline in 1965. This was clearly evident in 1979 when admissions dropped from 2,142 to 1,701 in the first six months. There were no layoffs, but hours were cut, and some vacant positions were not filled. In November 1981, the obstetrics department was the first to be closed.
In 1980 Dubuque was described by the Iowa Health Systems Agency as having thirty-two more hospital beds than necessary. The same year the SISTERS OF MERCY and the Sisters of St. Francis announced the merger of Xavier and Mercy Hospital. Xavier was to continue in operation with a combined management and no layoffs. Occupancy at Xavier, however, continued to decline. In November 1981, the last baby was delivered at the hospital.
In 1982 Xavier was closed as a hospital, one year after it had been purchased by MERCY HEALTH CENTER. Plans were made to convert the former hospital, at a cost of $8.5 million, into a retirement center complete with 143 apartments, residential care floor, mini-mall, and performing arts center. By 1987 these plans had been dropped.
The former hospital was saved from demolition in 1989 when Windsor Park Retirement Center was renovated by George and Gene Kennedy with the assistance of a City Council approved tax abatement arrangement. The grand opening was held on January 21 and 22, 1989. The first administrator of the Center was Paul G. Gabrielson, the former administrator of BETHANY HOME for fifteen years.
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Source:
1. "Xavier Hospital Honored," Telegraph Herald, June 3, 1974, p. 2. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=II1FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9LwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4815,266233&dq=xavier+hospital&hl=en
Source: "175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 93