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St. Joseph's Community Health Services, Inc.

Neighbors Caring for Neighbors...Body, Mind and Spirit"

HISTORICAL PICTURES

Chronological History of St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

Hansberry-Schute Era

1911-1949

1911      First hospital is established in few rooms of the Novy Building in “downtown” Hillsboro by P.H. Hansberry, M.D., who practices there with his brother from Wonewoc. 

1915      When need for a larger hospital becomes evident, Hansberry purchases a large home on South Water at High Street, the Hansberry Hospital we have seen in pictures (picture in St. Joseph’s cafeteria). 

1916      Clara A. Schute, a recent graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, becomes the hospital Superintendent. 

1925      A new addition is added to the Hansberry Hospital, including a new operating room, several patients’ rooms and an Administrator’s office. 

1946      More rooms, a new office and a new reception hall are added to the Hansberry Hospital. 

1947      Dr. Hansberry dies at age 70 and Clara Schute acquires ownership of the Hansberry Hospital.  Reverend Father D.J. Smetana, pastor of St. Aloysius and John A. Cesnik, a Hillsboro businessman, begin efforts to induce an organization to take on the operation of a more modern, larger hospital.

Rice Lake Sisters Era

1949-1956

1949      Father Smetana and John Cesnik confer with the Franciscan Sisters of Rice Lake.  Mother M. Alphonse, Mother General of the order and superintendent of Rice Lake’s hospital, comes to Hillsboro to inspect the Hansberry Hospital.  On July 2^nd, the hospital is purchased and is renamed St. Joseph’s. 

1950      Chaired by John Cesnik, an advisory committee is formed to promote construction of a new hospital.  A fund drive is initiated. 

1951      The federal government approves the project and grants $125,000.  Other funds include:  Vernon County $50,000; local pledges $125,000; and a loan of $175,000 from the La Crosse Catholic Diocese through the Rice Lake Sisters. 

1952      On July 27^th the cornerstone is laid (PAX ET BONUM:  “Peace and Goodness”, motto of Rice Lake Sisters). 

1953      New hospital is dedicated on March 19^th.  Dedication plaque reads:  “This hospital is dedicated to the memory of those men and women who served and died for their country in times of war to preserve democracy for our nation, and it pledges the care of the sick, injured and aged, regardless of race, color or creed.”  The old Hansberry Hospital is remodeled as a home for the aged. 

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) Era

1956-Present 

1956      Rice Lake Sisters withdraw from the hospital.  Patient census has dropped to one.  Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) of La Crosse agree to manage, operate and supervise St. Joseph’s.  Sister Mary Gregory (Floor Supervisor), Sister Jean Marie (Administrator/Anesthetist), Sister Josara (Lab Tech/X-Ray), and Sister Leone (Food Supervisor) comprise the original four FSPA Sisters assigned to St. Joseph’s.

1957      October, FSPA assumed sponsorship and debts (of $152,000) of St. Joseph’s. 

1959      Modern, 20-bed nursing home addition is completed.

1970      First lay administrator, William Green, is hired.  FSPA’s continue in various departments until 2000. 

1971      Nursing Home addition of 44 beds is completed.

1978      Remodeling and expansion project, begun in 1976, is completed with new facilities for laboratory, ambulance entrance, physical therapy, OB, surgery, Administrator’s office and lobby. 

1981      Remodeling of the wing formerly housing the sister’s living quarters and the Hillsboro Family Health Clinic is completed.  It provided facilities for cardiac rehabilitation, social and mental health services, natural family planning, community health resources center, personnel department and conference room. 

1990      St. Joseph’s Board of Directors signs a management contract with Lakewood Group, to provide a Chief Executive Officer as well as various other management services.  The Lakewood Group is purchased by the BRIM companies in 1991.

1993      Addition for Rehab Services and a new surgical area are started.  The “Cornerstone of Care Campaign” raises over $500,000 of this expansion money.  This committee consists of the St. Joseph’s Foundation and volunteers of the surrounding area. 

1995      Addition is completed.  Remodeling of OB, X-Ray, Rehab Services, outpatient area, hospital and ER nurses’ station, main lobby and a family waiting area are also completed.

1997      The Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) opens in July.  In October, St. Joseph’s Wellness Center opens in the house next door to offer alternative medicine to our community.  In order to accommodate the needs for our community due to health insurance and managed care organizations, St. Joseph’s hires John Jones, M.D., and starts its own clinic (located within the hospital) on December 1^st.

1998      A second physician, Dr. Francis Joseph, is hired on July 6^th to work in St. Joseph’s Clinic.  On July 9^th the facility’s name is changed from St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital and Home, Inc. to St. Joseph’s Community health Services, Inc.  On October 17^th, St. Joseph’s Clinic is dedicated in honor of Dr. Thomas Boston, a retired family physician of the community.

1999      On January 25^th, Dr. John Jones retires.  February 1^st, Dr. Warren Williams is hired to work in St. Joseph’s Clinic.  The Behavioral Health Unit is closed.  The Wellness Center becomes an independent practice by the acupuncturist, later the house is vacated.  In August, a second clinic is opened in Elroy where Dr. Williams moves his practice.  Bill Bruce assumes CEO position in November.  Urgent Care becomes Convenient Care, extends its hours and is staffed by physicians through the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative. 

2000      Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation is received in February allowing for cost-based reimbursement for services rendered.  Contract with BRIM Management Company is discontinued in August.  Bill Bruce is hired directly by St. Joseph’s as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  Debbie Tietjen, Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nurse Midwife, begins working in St. Joseph’s Clinic in September.

2001      Local hospital embraces the need to focus on the community and St. Joseph’s Board of Directors authorizes the recruitment of physicians and the reopening o obstetrical services.  Three family practitioners who do OB were added to the medical staff and a larger clinic was opened in Elroy.

 2002      New outreach services implemented including cardiology.  St. Joseph’s Board of Directors continues planning for the future.