St. Rita's Medical Center

St. Rita's Medical Center is a large hospital serving a 70-mile radius of Lima, Ohio, United States. It was started in 1918 by Sisters of Mercy, an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland in 1831.

There is also separate facilities in Delphos, Glandorf and Wapakoneta that serve other parts of the region for rehabilitation, orthopedics and other medical services.

History
In 1918, the Sisters of Mercy opened a hospital in Lima, Ohio.

St. Rita's was the fulfillment of a dream of the Right Reverend Monsignor A.E. Manning, the Reverend William Tobin and Mother Bernardine McMullen, R.S.M. At the time of its opening, the hospital was not completely finished, but was opened in order to administer care to victims of what was probably one of the first and most devastating epidemics to plague the Lima area, the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Through the coming years, St. Rita's expanded to add more beds and services to meet the healthcare needs of the community. In 1948, a seven-story addition to the original building was completed, housing modern operating, delivery and X-ray rooms, more office space and an additional 150 beds. Just nine years later, it again became apparent that in the not too distant future new facilities, additional beds and a School of Nursing building would be needed to keep St. Rita's Hospital on the move to providing quality medical care for the people of Allen and surrounding counties.

After 59 years as St. Rita's Hospital, on March 9, 1977 the hospital name was changed to St. Rita's Medical Center.

St. Rita's has, over the years, emphasized long range planning and keeping completely up-to-date not only with the most sophisticated pieces of equipment, but in medical procedures and services to the community.

Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy found St. Ritas in 1918 after their group was started in 1831. The sisters take vows for poverty, chastity and obedience, the evangelical counsels commonly vowed in religious life, and also vows of service. They continue to participate in the life of the community. The organization is active in lobbying and politics as well.

Other facilities
The St. Rita's Medical Center provides other facilities across the region in Delphos, Glandorf, and Wapakoneta.

Delphos Facility
The Delphos Ambulatory Care Center, located in Delphos, offers urgent care, outpatient services and specialty physician clinics to the people of Allen and Van Wert counties in Ohio.

The center accepts appointments for the following services or tests.


 * cardiology
 * gastroenterology
 * OB/GYN
 * orthopedics
 * podiatry
 * urology

Glandorf Facility
The Putnam County Ambulatory Care Center located in Glandorf provides a 24-hour emergency care for patients in the Putnam County area who need immediate care, rather than being transported to Lima.

The following tests or services can be completed at the ambulatory care center for greater patient convenience.


 * X-rays
 * Mammography
 * Computed tomography
 * Electrocardiogram
 * Bone density screenings
 * Laboratory Tests
 * Audiology Exams
 * Ultrasound

Wapakoneta Facility
St. Rita's Medical Center provides comprehensive rehabilitation services at the Wapakoneta YMCA, located in Wapakoneta and serves the people of Auglaize County. The YMCA works with St. Rita's to provide the following rehabilitation services.


 * Physical Therapy
 * Occupational Therapy
 * Speech Therapy
 * Aquatic Therapy
 * Athletic Training
 * Cardiac Rehabilitation