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A Tribute to 100 Years
A tribute to Perry Memorial Hospital’s 100 years
Perry Memorial Hospital is celebrating 100 years this summer. Its history is rich — one that’s marked by both glory days and times of turmoil. Here’s a walk through Perry’s decades: project skyrocketed
1913 Julia Rackley Perry, a Malden native, bequeathed $25,000 to the city of Princeton with the provision to plan a public hospital in Princeton within the following five years.
1915 Perry’s husband dies leaving the remainder of their assets, more than $50,000, for the creation of a hospital. The Perry assets back then were equivalent to more than $1 million in today’s terms. the board decided to use the money to renovate as much of the
1916 City of Princeton passes an ordinance for the establishment and maintenance of Julia Rackley Perry Memorial Hospital.
1917 A public vote led the decision to purchase the former Princeton Hospital property on Park Avenue East for $4,711, which is the location of where the hospital stands today.
1920 June 17, the hospital opens it doors to patients. The two-story building connected by way of a ramp to the former hospital house, could able secure grants and
funds were available. to build a large office buildlater and attracted Princeton Family Physicians, and dozens of hold 28 patients and five babies. It contained the latest equipment in the operating room and x-ray department. Nurse Kathryn Pond ran the day-to-day operations of the hospital until 1925.
1931 A need for more rooms become urgent. An east wing was built on at a cost of $45,000. It included space for an additional 13 beds and seven bassinets for babies.
1939 Space again was an issue at the hospital, which forced the need to build a west wing onto the original building, adding nine new beds, new operating rooms, preparatory rooms, an x-ray room, laboratory and other needed space.
1940s Amidst a growing staff, a widening range of services, increasing expenses and new government regulations, it became apparent that managing the hospital would require more than a nurse supervisor. The city began to re-evaluate the organization of the hospital.
1947 Princeton City Council voted to change the leadership structure of the hospital. A board of directors was appointed. The first members included Watson Lawton, Robert Zearing and Celia Diller. Their first task was to hire a hospital administrator and auditor.
1948 The hospital auxiliary formed with 66 members. Mrs. Abbie Jean Gunning was elected as the first president. The auxiliary gathered funds through membership fees and donations, using the money to purchase equipment or to help with facility improvements. Gunning opened the hospital’s first gift shop in 1953.
1950 Following WWII, people had more money and medicine had advanced to be able to treat more hospital was nearly fully occupied or sometimes completely occupied. The hospital board pursued a $350,000 addition and renovation. As staff were trained to fundraise, the materials and labor costs for the and the cost of the entire project doubled. The hospital failed to raise sufficient funds for a new wing.
1952 A public referendum went out to voters asking whether Perry should become part of a hospital district that would collect money to help pay for an addition, but voters rejected the idea. Administrator Arnold Walter and hospital as it could with the money staff and the board were able to raise two years prior.
1954 A small addition was built on to the hospital’s east wing to accommodate 16 more patients, but it didn’t solve the overcrowding issues.
1955 On average 98 percent of hospital beds were oc cupied each day.
1957 Perry Memorial Hospital again asked for community support to erect a new wing. This time, they raised $300,000. Construction started with the demolition of the original Princeton Hospital house.
1959 The new addition was completed, but new regulations were making the other wings in the hospital unusable as fire codes become more strict.
1960s The hospital board again decided to pursue community fundraising to construct a new wing. In addition to funds raised by the community, Perry’s leadership was the city sold bonds so that the hospital could borrow money for the project. A three-story building was constructed with an unfinished third floor, which could be completed at a later date when more
1976 The third floor of the 60s addition was completed, but most of the space was meant for patient care, not offices. Administrator Hal Autry came up with the idea ing onto the hospital that would allow space for visiting specialty physicians, which would mean better care without having to travel to a larger hospital. The Medical Office Building was completed two years illnesses and perform more surgeries. For much of the 50s, the
specialty services from area groups and hospitals, which continue to serve the community today.
1980s The hospital had space for nearly 200 patients. The hospital continued to stay at the forefront
of technology, ever seeking the latest technology and practices. As much as the first 40 years of the hospital were full of challenges, the next 20 years were filled with growth and success. Year after year, the hospital posted a positive bottom line, rural clinics opened in LaMoille, Walnut, Manlius and Sheffield, as well as the Princeton Pediatric Center. Services such as Perry Home Medical Supply and Perry Memorial Hospital Linen Services offered cost-effective ways to serve the ordinary hospital needs while supporting other clinics and healthcare organizations. An addition to the 1969 hospital increased space for surgeries and outpatient procedures. The Gold Coat volunteer program also opened an opportunity for the community to support patients, visitors and staff on a day-to-day basis.
1990s The hospital began hosting free screenings for things like cholesterol or prostate cancer. Classes for diabetes and prenatal care started to fill major community needs. In addition to events, the hospital began to pursue a new strategy of collaboration. Area health organizations began working closely with Perry’s staff to increase the scope of their services.
1992 The Perry Memorial Hospital Foundation came to fruition, adding another avenue for community outreach and fundraising. The hospital also joined the Princeton Rotary and Chamber of Commerce, and continued to find new ways to give back to the community.
Late 1990s Even as the hospital gained momentum and continued to expand, national trends were starting to shift. Advances in medical knowledge were changing healthcare, hastened by Medicare and Medicaid. The focus of healthcare was shifting from treating illness to preventing illnesses.
1999 Perry’s bed capacity had reduced to less than 80. The average length of stay was dropping and many services could be done without any stay at all. Medicare and Medicaid programs started to toughen their requirements and reduce their reimbursements, hurting rural hospitals across the country.
Early 2000s At the turn of the century, changes in compliance and billing for state and federal regulations forced staff to scramble. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid began hitting harder than ever. The hospital faced significant financial losses for the first time since the 1940s. A period of downsizing occurred. Management position were eliminated, outlying clinics were closed and staff began fearing for their jobs.
2004 Perry became a Critical Access Hospital, which allowed more funding for the hospital, but meant certain requirements and quality measures had to be put in place, such as a 24/7 emergency care and keeping the average inpatient stay less than eight days. Perry also had to reduce to a total bed occupancy of 25. 2005 It was time to focus on the services that the community truly relied on, such as the laboratory, radiology and the emergency department. A $6.5 million multiphase construction and renovation plan was put into action.
2009 The multi-phase construction plan was complete, giving the hospital the look it has today.
2012 Less than 100 births took place at the hospital and more than half were from Medicaid patients. With limited bed space, fewer births and a lower reimbursement from Medicaid, it was no longer viable to staff a 24/7 delivery room. The delivery room closed in 2013.
2014 The hospital began to take a more active role in patient care, starting with the acquisition of Princeton Family Physicians. The clinic became Perry Memorial Family Health Clinic. Over the next five years, another eight providers were added to the staff. The clinic moved into a new space across the street this year, with modern patient-centered families and room for growth.
2016-17 The hospital opened new clinics in Wal nut and Henry.
2018 The Wound Care Clinic opened to fill a major community need and Dr. Gary Hoelle’s podiatry clinic was also acquired.
2019 Hospital leadership recognized the challenge the organization would continue to face by working as an independent community hospital. The hospital board of directors and the Princeton City Council entered into partnership discussions with OSF HeathCare in Peoria, who can provide the resources needed for another 100 of community healthcare.
Illinois Valley Living’s WOO of MEN distinction
Honoring the women of the Illinois Valley — the Women of Distinction Awards focus on those ladies who make a difference in the lives of area citizens.
The Illinois Valley Living Women of DistinctionAward is given to women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities. Illinois Valley Living is excited to offer this annual event to honor those women who make adifference in the lives of others.
What woman do you know who has gone that extra mile to benefit others? Who has taken a stand; made adifference; and/or been a role model for others?Wewant to hear about these wonderful women from you.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the annual Women of DistinctionAward. Honorees will be chosen by a selection committee of formerWomen of Distinction Award winners.
In the fall of this year, awelcome reception will precede a luncheon and awards ceremony, where multipleWomen of DistinctionAward winners will be honored and given the opportunity to share their stories.
Tonominate a Woman of Distinction, go to and click on the ad on the right side of the page to complete the nomination form.You can also fill out the nomination form on the adjoining page and mail it to Women of Distinction, c/o Bureau County Republican, Attention: Associate Editor Goldie Rapp P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356.
Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m., August, 2020. For questions or more information, contact Goldie at 815-875-4461, ext. 6335.
Women of Distinction identifies women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and community. Honorees will be profiled in the Illinois Valley Living Magazine’s September issue and recognized at an awards luncheon in the fall. Date and location to be announced.
Please fill out this form completely (use additional paper if necessary) and return by August 3, 2020. Additional forms can be downloaded
by visit www.bcrnews.com.
Today’s date:__________________________________________
A. Nominee’ s Personal Inform at ion
Name ___________________________________________________________ Organization/company/corp. _______________________________________ Title_____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________ City of residence __________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________________________ Hometown (childhood) ____________________________________________ Date of birth _____________________________________________________
Education:
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Family:
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Please include bio/résumé/vita
B. Achievements
In the space below, please describe the nominee’s greatest personal, professional or job-related achievement. Honors or awards can be included as well as examples of a challenging problem solved, a major project completed or a product produced. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. Nominator
*Name _____________________________________________________ Title _______________________________________________________ Organization _______________________________________________ Phone ______________________________________________________ *Email: _____________________________________________________
*Must include to be informed if your nominee has been selected
Presenting Sponsor DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION: August 3, 2020
Mail: Women of Distinction % Bureau County Republican P.O. Box 340 Princeton, Illinois 61356 Attn: Goldie Rapp or Email: grapp@bcrnews.com Subject line: Women of Distinction
Keynote Sponsor
Major Sponsors
St. Margaret’s Hospital
Liberty Village
Peru Streator Princeton 815-224-2200 815-672-1900 815-875-6600
