Misericordia Hospital facts for kids

Misericordia Hospital is a large medical center in The Bronx, New York City. It first opened in 1887 on Staten Island. Later, it moved to Manhattan in 1889. Finally, it settled in The Bronx in 1958.

In 1985, the hospital was renamed Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. In 2008, Montefiore Medical Center took it over. It became their North Division. Then, it was renamed the Wakefield Division of Montefiore. Misericordia is a not-for-profit voluntary teaching hospital. This means it helps train new doctors and nurses.

History of the Hospital

There are other hospitals named Misericordia. The word misericordia means mercy in English. This hospital has a very long history. It started over a century ago.

Starting on Staten Island

In 1887, six Roman Catholic Sisters of Misericorde began the hospital. They had only $1 to start! They opened Misericordia Hospital in an old house on Staten Island.

Moving to Manhattan

Misericordia Hospital at 86th Street in Manhattan.

The hospital moved from Staten Island to Manhattan in 1889. It was located at 531 East 86th Street. This area is in the Yorkville, Manhattan neighborhood.

Building in The Bronx

Misericordia Hospital, in The Bronx.

In 1955, the hospital announced a big plan. They bought land in The Bronx. They started building a modern, three-block medical center there. Their old building in Manhattan was sold. A new apartment building was built on that spot.

The new hospital in The Bronx cost about $9 million to build. This was more than the $7.25 million they first expected.

Hospital Name Changes

The hospital's name changed several times starting in 1985:

• In 1985, it became Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. It was also known as Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center.
• In 2008, Montefiore Medical Center bought the hospital.
  • It was first renamed Montefiore's North Division.
  • Later, it was renamed the Wakefield Division of Montefiore.

Hospital Affiliations

Starting in 1963, Misericordia had an agreement with Fordham Hospital. This meant Misericordia provided medical staff to Fordham. In 1971, Misericordia had to let go of 85 doctors and staff. This happened because of budget cuts from the city's Health and Hospitals corporation.

Another agreement began in 1976 with Lincoln Hospital. Around that time, the city's Health and Hospitals Corporation looked into the number of doctors trained outside the United States working at Misericordia. In 1979, these doctors formed a union.

See also

• List of hospitals in the Bronx