A Brief History of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System
At the turn of the twentieth century, there was no hospital to serve citizens of northeast Missouri. With the opening of Levering Hospital on February 2, 1903, the need for hospital care was met and the first part of what would become Hannibal Regional was created. More than a century later, Hannibal Regional continues this commitment to being the leader in healthcare, furthering their mission of guiding the community to better health and shaping the future of healthcare for its residents.
Prior to the opening of Levering Hospital, the sick were cared for in the home, and any surgery needed was performed there or in a doctor’s office. In 1901, Aaron R. Levering, President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Hannibal, and his wife, Eleanor M. Levering, recognized the need for a hospital to serve the community. The Leverings dedicated land and donated funds for the construction of a hospital in Hannibal and it would be called “Levering Hospital”.
When Levering Hospital opened its doors it was the first erected hospital in northeast Missouri and contained twenty-six patient beds. Throughout its history, Levering Hospital received the support of many other contributors in the form of time, talent and funds. Over the years citizens, religious and civil organizations, and the Levering Hospital Auxiliary generously and unselfishly gave their energy and money to the hospital, truly making it a “Community Partnership.”
A few years later, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital was organized and founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, MO. The Reverend Mother, M. Augustine, founder of the Sisters of St. Francis, was also the founder of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. The land for the hospital was purchased in the fall of 1913, and the hospital was completed and received its first patients in the summer of 1915.
Eight young, energetic nursing sisters were sent to Hannibal to operate the hospital. These sisters, with the help of some local citizens, readied the newly constructed hospital to serve the community. This hospital was located on Virginia Street and had thirty-five patient beds.
In July 1987, after many months of discussion and planning, the Board of Directors for both Levering Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital entered into an affiliation agreement to explore the consolidation of both hospitals. In 1988, the two facilities merged, forming Hannibal Regional Hospital.
Hannibal Regional has been an independent provider of health care for the past 115 years and has been at its current location for more than 25 years. Expanding beyond hospital services, Hannibal Regional now has over 1,200 team members serving 12 counties, offices located in 11 communities, 85 providers and 21 specialties, Hannibal Regional continues to lead the way in providing access to exceptional healthcare and guiding the residents of Northeast Missouri to BETTER.
Timeline
1900s
1902
Cornerstone of Levering Hospital is Created
Cornerstone of Levering Hospital is laid on June 19, 1902 making it the first building to be erected as a hospital in Missouri.
1903
First Patients Received
First patients are received at Levering Hospital's original 26 bed facility.
Levering Auxillary
Levering Auxillary is established.
First Nursing Class Graduates
Levering Hospital's School of Nursing graduates their first class.
1905
Residence Hall for Nurses Founded
A.R. Levering Family funds construction of residence hall for Levering Hospital nurses.
Levering Hospital Opens
First patients are received at Levering Hospital's original 26 bed facility.
1910s
1913
St. Elizabeth's land acquired
The Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, Missouri purchase a 220 acre tract of land for future site of St. Elizabeth's Hospital
1915
St. Elizabeth's Hospital is Complete
First patients are received at St. Elizabeth's original 35 bed facility.
1916
St. Elizabeth Auxillary
St. Elizabeth Auxillary is established
1930s
1930
Addition to Levering Hospital complete
The addition to Levering Hospital is completed. Gift of business man Wilson B. Pettibone
1940s
1940
St. Elizabeth Hospital Chapel
St. Elizabeth Hospital's Chapel and Sister's residence is completed
1941
Levering Hospital Receives Another Addition
Levering Hospital receives another addition Dr. J.W. Hardesty applied for another addition to Levering Hospital to be built under the Federal Works Project administration. This addition provided 42 rooms, bringing the total bed capacity to 116.
1942
Levering Obstetrical department complete
The new levering Hospital Obstetrical department and 3rd floor nursery is completed.
1950s
1954
St. Elizabeth groundbreaking
St. Elizabeth's groundbreaking for new addition that will more than double the hospital's size.
1960s
1960
Levering addition completed
The final Levering large addition and renovation completed making it a 150 patient hospital.
1962
Hannibal School of Practical Nursing
Hannibal Public School of Practical Nursing opens and is later incorporated into the Hannibal Public School System.
1970s
1973
St. Elizabeth's West Wing Completed
The six-level west wing of St. Elizabeth's is completed.
1980s
1987
Hannibal Regional Healthcare System is formed
Levering Hospital works toward consolidation with St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Boards at Levering and St. Elizabeth's enter affiliation agreement.
1988
Consolidation of Acute Care Services
Hannibal hospitals consolidate Acute Care Services at the former st. Elizabeth's facility.
1990s
1990
Approval of Cancer Program
Hannibal Regional Hospital's Cancer Program approved by American College of Surgeons
1991
LaGrange, MO Clinic Opens
Hannibal Regional Hospital opens its first primary care clinic in LaGrange, MO
1994
Primary Care Clinics
Center and Shelbina Primary Care Clinics open
1995
Primary Care Clinic
Canton Primary Care Clinic opens
1996
Primary Care Clinics
Monroe City and LaBelle Primary Care Clinics open
1997
Primary Care Clinics
Vandalia Primary Care Clinic opens
1998
Open MRI
Open MRI was one of the many technological innovations introduced to the Tri-state area in 1998
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Hannibal Regional Hospital Physical Therapy and Hand Center opens
2000s
2000
Hannibal Children's Center opens
Hannibal Children's Center provides parents with the ability to work with the comfort of knowing their children are safe and secure in an environment which is developmentally supportive of their individual needs.
2001
Expansion
Hannibal Regional Hospital's newly expanded Sleep Diagnostics Laboratory opens, a Home Health Agency is opens in in Hull, Illinois, there is a Primary Care Clinic opened in Palmyra, Missouri and the Diabetes Center receives accreditation.
2002
Primary Care Clinic
Bowling Green Primary Care Clinic is opened
PET Scanning
Positron emission Tomography (PET) is added to the Radiology department
2003
James E. Cary Cancer Center
Hannibal Regional Hospital and Hannibal Clinic develop the area's first cancer center
2008
New ES Expansion Complete
Hannibal Regional Hospital opens a brand new state of the art emergency services department with 18 rooms.
2009
Department dedications
Hannibal Regional Hospital dedicated the new Chris Coons Women's Care Center and the Alfred F. Nagy Emergency Department.
2010s
2011
Express Care Walmart
Hannibal, MO "Express Care opens inside Hannibal's Walmart Supercenter"
2011
Acquisition of Pike Medical Group
Added clinics in Bowling Green and Louisiana.
2015
Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Opens
The Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit is a distinctly separate nursing unit and offers dining, activity, and therapy space. Patients in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit receive a minimum of three hours of therapy a day or 15 hours of therapy over a seven day period.
2017
CFM joins Hannibal Regional
Kirksville Chamber of Commerce and Complete Family Medicine hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate CFM joining Hannibal Regional.
Northeast Missouri Imaging Associates and Hannibal Medical Services join our team
Welcome, Northeast Missouri Imaging Associates and Hannibal Medical Services to our team!
Groundbreaking for Expansion Construction
The groundbreaking celebrated the beginning of the construction on the expansion of the Hannibal Regional Medical Group building.
2018
Bowling Green Ribbon Cutting
The new clinic in Bowling Green open house and ribbon cutting.
2019
Surgery Suite Expansion
Six state-of-the-art surgery suites opened offering the latest technology including a 4k fluorescence surgical camera from Stryker and a daVinci surgical system.
2019
Hannibal Regional Medical Building Expansion
The Hannibal Regional Medical Building expanded its footprint to offer more specialties and providers to the community.
2020s
2020
Hospital Entrance Expansion
Construction on the updated hospital entrance is complete. Included in the hospital entrance expansion is private registration bays, relocation of the hospital laboratory entrance, a larger Courtyard Cafe, new surgery waiting room and the addition of a conference room.
2022
Hospice of Northeast Missouri
On January 1, 2022, Hospice of Northeast Missouri’s Board of Directors made the decision to partner with Hannibal Regional Healthcare System to assist in providing expanded resources and to ensure continued quality end of life care throughout Northeast Missouri. Hospice of Northeast Missouri is a volunteer organization formed to address the community need for end-of-life care.
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