1950 — St. Margaret's Mercy Hospital
Fredonia Regional Hospital was dedicated in 1950 in Fredonia, Kansas as St. Margaret's Mercy Hospital, thanks to the vision of a Fredonia resident and attorney, R. W. McGrath. Although he was unable to realize his dream of building a hospital in Fredonia during his lifetime, McGrath helped the cause along by leaving a large share of his estate — including his home and the surrounding land — to the Sisters of Mercy. He stipulated that the bequest be used to build a hospital, and he asked that it be named after his wife, Margaret. The hospital opened its doors for business on 19 June 1950 with 20 employees, and the first baby was delivered only three days after opening.
1985 — Fredonia Regional Hospital
In 1985, the Sisters of Mercy turned control of the hospital over to the then mayor and the city commission to work through the great difficulties the hospital was facing and to plan for its future. After overwhelming support from the community and a one-cent sales tax, which more than 90 percent of citizens voted for, the hospital became Fredonia Regional Hospital. Great staff, community support and dedication have proved in the past to make FRH a success for the community, and with that, continual achievement for the future to come.
2008 — A 24,800 square foot expansion
With healthcare quickly advancing into a new age, FRH saw an opportunity to once again create great healthcare benefits and opportunities through expansion and renovation. In October 2008, FRH held a grand opening for a multi-phase project that included a new 24,800 square foot hospital expansion. Long corridors link the old facility with the new additions, physicians and their clinics with hands-on patient care, and faster healthcare delivery with modern techniques. Expansion into the new addition was inaugurated with a commemoration and celebration allowing the public to see for themselves what healthcare looked like in the new wing. The ER, nursing wing, Diagnostic Imaging and a dedicated courtyard fill the modern facility, making it comparable to a larger city healthcare facility.
The future of medicine in rural America will depend on the ability to provide the right healthcare in a timely manner. Healthcare focuses on reducing human suffering and enhancing quality of life — exactly what FRH plans to invest in for the future of healthcare for the town of Fredonia and all surrounding communities relying on FRH.