MAUMEE, Ohio — As Mercy Health anticipates new life for the former St. Luke's Hospital campus, the healthcare system announced they will be hosting a commemoration ceremony to "celebrate the hospital's legacy."
The commemoration ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 in the hospital auditorium on the Mercy Health-St. Luke's campus on Monclova Road. Mercy Health said the event is open to all former St. Luke's associates, Mercy Health associates and the community.
Those attending are invited to join the commemoration at 1 p.m. before a formal program begins at 1:30 p.m. Mercy Health said the commemoration will include a prayer service, ceremonial flag lowering and speakers sharing messages, patient stories and historical perspectives.
“St. Luke’s played a significant role for many years in the lives of Maumee residents,” said Alison Avendt, president, Mercy Health - Perrysburg Hospital and former COO at McLaren St. Luke’s. “It was a trusted place to go for exceptional care in a warm and caring environment. St. Luke’s was also a great place to work for the many individuals who felt called to serve in medicine, nursing, and all of the ancillary and support services that make up the fabric of a hospital. Careers were launched and lifelong friends were made. We want to celebrate and honor the legacy of our shared past by bringing community and caregivers together.”
Mercy Health acquired the assets of the campus in June 2023 after McLaren Health Care closed the hospital in May 2023. Since then, Mercy Health said they've welcomed nearly 400 former St. Luke's associates and 22 providers to its organization, as well as recently merged the two organizations' charitable foundations.
Mercy Health said that it has conducted "due diligence" on the viability of the structures and possible future uses of the campus since acquiring the buildings. Mercy Health said it is seeking proposals from "qualified developers" for the next phase of campus redevelopment.
According to Mercy Health, it has begun to identify potential developers "with an expert in this redevelopment arena to move forward with a signature project that honors St. Luke's legacy." Mercy Health said its goal is to make an announcement later this year on the future of the campus redevelopment.
“Mercy Health has been honored to welcome so many former St. Luke’s patients, providers and team members into our family over the past year. We understand that this has been a significant transition for many, and we remain committed to moving forward while also celebrating the past,” said Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health - Toledo. “Mercy Health is working diligently to ensure that the campus remains a valuable asset to the community, and we are excited for the future.”
