Locally owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, Saint Anthony's Health Center was founded in 1925 by five pioneering Sisters, who traveled from their General Motherhouse in Thuine, Germany to expand their mission to America. The story is told that they arrived with less than three dollars between them and one bag of oranges. But they were rich in faith.
Thanks to generous donations, the Sisters were able to purchase the Nazareth Home, a combination orphanage and infirmary in 1925, and they renamed the home Saint Anthony's Infirmary. In 1956, the organization became a fully licensed hospital, operating as Saint Anthony's Hospital. In 1959, construction on a new wing of the hospital was completed. More lay persons joined with the Sisters in caring for the sick. Midnight Mass marked the opening of the new chapel in 1964 and the West Annex was completed in 1966.
1970's
1970: An Intensive Care Unit was introduced with a 4-bed unit for seriously ill or injured patients.
1972: William E. Kessler becomes first lay administrator of Saint Anthony's Hospital.
1975: First hospital-based home care service brought to the Alton community: Saint Anthony’s Home Health Care.
1980's
1980: Operating Rooms opened and Surgery added to Saint Anthony’s Hospital.
1983: Emergency Room opened; renovation completed in 1989.
1986: Saint Anthony’s Adult Day Services established.
1988: Obstetrics unit opened on the Saint Anthony’s campus: Women’s Pavilion.
1989: Saint Anthony’s acquired St. Joseph’s Hospital and renamed the facility Saint Clare’s Hospital. Saint Anthony's Health Center became the parent organization of both Saint Anthony's Hospital and Saint Clare's Hospital
1990's
1990:
- Diabetes Treatment Center opened.
- First cardiac catheterization performed at Saint Anthony’s Hospital.
1992: Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation unit added on the Saint Clare’s Hospital Campus– the only local CARF-accredited inpatient rehab in the area.
1993: Saint Anthony’s Foundation created to facilitate charitable giving.
1994: The Women's Pavilion became certified as a Level II Perinatal Facility by the State of Illinois.
1996: Enhanced Cardiac Rehabilitation program. GI Lab expanded on the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus.
1997:
- Saint Anthony's opened Saint Anthony's Medical Mall at 4325 Alby, Alton.
- Saint Anthony’s purchased Yungck Medical, creating Saint Anthony’s Medical Equipment.
- Sleep Studies Lab opened on the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus.
1998:
- Continued the Hunterstown Partnership with the City of Alton.
- Established Private Care Services to include homemakers and private duty nursing.
1999: Inpatient Alzheimer Special Care program opened.
A New Millenium
2000: Saint Anthony’s Health Center received a prestigious Top 100 Hospital designation.
2001: In collaboration with the City of Alton, a Weed & Seed office opened on the Saint Clare’s Hospital campus.
2002: Saint Clare’s Villa, a 64-unit supportive living facility, opened on the Saint Clare’s Hospital campus.
2003:
- New technology and expansion of services: PET Scan, 3 D Treatment Planning for radiation, sentinel node biopsy and stereotactic biopsy procedures introduced.
- Opened a Joint Replacement Center for hip and knee replacements, becoming the area's leader in joint replacement surgeries.
2004:
- Angioplasty added to Cardiology Services.
- Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine opened on the Saint Clare’s Hospital campus – first wound center in the area.
- New technologies added in: MRI, Lab, GI, OB/Fetal Monitoring, Surgical Services
2005:
- Sisters of St. Francis and Mission Partners of Saint Anthony’s Health Center meet the President of the United States.
- Medical Malpractice Legislation signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich at Saint Anthony’s Hospital on August 25, 2005.
- Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Technology (IMRT) added to Radiation Therapy. Using a powerful, advanced computerized program, physicians can plan a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions based on individual tumor size, shape and location. Led by Dr. James Piephoff, Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist.
- A newly constructed Outpatient Chemotherapy department was opened. The patient-centered area offers seven infusion suites, private blood draw area and exam rooms, as well as a comfortable waiting area for family members.
- New State-of-the-Art Sleep Scan System purchased to provide advanced monitoring capabilities.
- Saint Anthony's Health Center is the only hospital in area to receive commendation from The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
2006:
- First lay administrator, William E. Kessler, retires.
- Mark Weber, FACHE, joined Saint Anthony's Health Center as President/CEO on August 1, 2006.
2007:
- Construction completed, realigning Central Avenue -- adjacent to the Saint Anthony's Hospital campus.
- Saint Anthony's Hospice establishes Bella Serenity, first hospice room at Willow Rose Rehab and Healthcare in Jerseyville.
- Completion of renovation to the Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Center.
2008:
- Adult Day Services Memory Garden Dedication.
- E.J. Kuiper appointed President and CEO of Saint Anthony's Health Center.
- Saint Anthony's Health Center awarded Gold Seal Approval by The Joint Commission the national standard of healthcare quality.
2009:
- Saint Anthony's Cancer Center of Excellence awarded 3-year approval with Commendation by the Commission on Cancer.
- Reverend Mother Margaretha Maria, from the Sisters’ Motherhouse in Thuine, Germany, visited Saint Anthony’s Health Center for two weeks. Under the leadership of Reverend Mother and Mother M. Regina Pacis, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis, the Sisters recommitted to a Mission of providing quality health care for all who need care, especially the most vulnerable.
2010
- Saint Anthony’s Health Center is the first hospital in Alton to move to an all-private room facility in February, 2010. Renovation on the 2 South private rooms were completed in April, with new flooring, new patient beds, visitor seating and flat screen televisions.