SUNNYCREST SANITORIUM

SUNNYCREST SANITORIUM. Sunnycrest was opened on August 13, 1921, as a means of curtailing the rapid spread of tuberculosis. Initial discussions about the care of patients with tuberculosis were held in the early 1900s among Dr. A. M. Loes, Mrs. Herbert Adams, Miss Cook, Mrs. Anna Dolan, Alex Hassler, Mark Kane, L. F. Metz, M. O'Donald, Mrs. Charlotte Quinlan, and Miss Maude Reader with members of the SAINT VINCENT de PAUL.

Informational meetings with local charitable organizations and social clubs led to a public vote to approve a bond issue of $75,000 and a two mill levy for payment of bonds and maintenance of the building.

A twenty-seven acre site on the north end of town was purchased at $100.00 per acre. Prior to the start of construction, observations of similar facilities were made in Davenport, at the Oakdale institution in Iowa City, and at sites in Illinois and Wisconsin. Further work on the institution was halted until the end of WORLD WAR I at the request of the government. When work resumed, Anton Zwack was awarded the construction contract for $89,000. In most instances local firms were the low bidders for additional work. Dr. J. C. Painter was placed in charge of the hospital and served in the position for twenty-five years.

Prior to his retirement in 1957, Painter was able to announce the closing of the facility as a tuberculosis sanatorium. Once filled nearly to capacity, Sunnycrest had been nearly empty since WORLD WAR II and the development of better methods to cure the disease. The remaining patients were transferred to Oakdale Sanatorium near Iowa City.

Within two and one-half years of its closing, the facility was reopened as the Dubuque County Nursing Home whose primary responsibility was the care of indigents. Those who could make partial payments were given secondary priority. Private patients were admitted with the understanding that they would move out if room for the other two categories of patients became unavailable. An addition to the facility was constructed in 1968; in 1976 the name of the facility was changed to Sunnycrest Manor.

In 1980, Sunnycrest opened the Sunrise ICF/MR unit becoming one of the first community-based intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation. In 2001, Sunnycrest Manor implemented the “Home & Heart” program. The facility became Medicare certified to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in May of 2005. Sunnycrest is also contracted with the Veterans Administration to provide long term care services for eligible veterans.

Care and services provided at Sunnycrest Manor are under the direction of the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors. The Dubuque County Hospital Board of Trustees are elected officials responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Sunnycrest buildings, grounds and equipment.

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Source:

www.dubuquecounty.org/SunnycrestManor/tabid/137/Default.aspx