Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital
Northern Light Health
Main Entrance of Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Geography
Location	175 Fore River Parkway,Portland,New England, Maine, United States
Coordinates	43.6483°N 70.2821°W/43.6483; -70.2821
Organization
Type	Non profit
Religious affiliation	formerlyCatholic Church
Network	Northern Light Health
History
Former name(s)	Queen's Hospital
Opened	1818
Links
Website	northernlighthealth.org/mercy-hospital
Lists	Hospitals in Maine

Northern Light Mercy Hospitalis a not-for-profit community hospital inPortland, Maine.It was founded in 1918 by theRoman Catholic Diocese of Portlandand theSisters of Mercyto provide excellent healthcare, especially to the poor and disadvantaged. Mercy is located on a 42-acre campus overlooking theFore River.

History

Northern Light Mercy Hospital opened as "Queen's Hospital" on the corner ofState StreetandCongress Streetin response to the1918 flu pandemicafter city hospitals refused Irish Catholic patients during that pandemic.It had 25 beds.

In 1941, as the United States stood on the brink of entering another world war, the growing city of Portland needed greater hospital capacity. To meet this need, the Sisters of Mercy arranged for the purchase of property at 144 State Street. That same year, the Sisters received additional control from the Diocese of Portland over the management of Queen's. To reflect the transition, Queen's Hospital became Mercy Hospital.In 1943, the new hospital location opened with 150 beds and 36 bassinets. The old Queen's Hospital buildings were kept for housing and classrooms for the 140 students then enrolled in the School of Nursing.

The hospital expanded in 1952 and was significantly renovated in the 1980s.

In 2006, Mercy began construction on its new campus along theFore Riverwith the plan to eventually consolidate the two campuses into one larger hospital. In September 2008, Mercy opened their new hospital at the Fore River campus. Until the campuses can be consolidated, Mercy would maintain two hospitals inPortland, Maine.

In 2013, Mercy Hospital was acquired byEastern Maine Healthcare Systems(EMHS) ofBrewer, Maine.In 2018, EMHS rebranded asNorthern Light Healthand Mercy Hospital began doing business as Northern Light Mercy Hospital.

In January 2022, Northern Light Mercy Hospital permanently closed their State Street hospital location once they opened the new emergency room at theirFore Rivercampus.This marked the final step in their campus consolidation efforts.