Respected as a Teaching Hospital

As Des Moines’ oldest hospital (founded in 1893), Mercy Medical Center–Des Moines has a long tradition as a teaching hospital for physician residents, interns and other health care professionals. As early as 1902, the hospital was the training ground for interns and was affiliated with the Drake University School of Medicine during its years of operation.

A Leader in Medical Technology, Expertise and Care

Mercy is at the forefront of medical technology and medical care, making it a special place for physicians to learn and improve patient health and well-being. As one of the Midwest’s major referral centers, Mercy:

• is a 917-bed acute care, not-for-profit Catholic hospital.
• maintains a network of health-care facilities in 15 rural communities.
• is one of seven Catholic hospitals in Iowa in the Mercy Health Network.
• operates 26 clinics throughout the metropolitan Des Moines area, accommodating more than 513,000 patient visits annually.
• has a medical staff of more than 800 physicians and specialists
• is a verified Level II Trauma Center.
• is recognized statewide for its women’s and children’s services
• is a leader in the region in critical care, has the busiest Emergency Department in the state, and is recognized regionally for its leadership in cardiac care, pediatrics and many other clinical areas.
• is one of the busiest birthing centers in Iowa, with a 32-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a Perinatal Diagnostic Center – an accredited Level III Perinatal Center for high-risk pregnancies.
• is one of the region’s recognized leaders in comprehensive care of children. With more than 23 years experience in performing heart procedures on children, Mercy is the only hospital in central Iowa to offer a specialized pediatric heart program. That goes along with three very active pediatric specialty clinics, pediatric rehabilitation program, a pediatric allergy affiliation with Mayo Clinic and pediatric intensivist.
• is recognized as the regional center for patients who need cardiac care. The heart team has performed more than 100 heart transplants since the program opened in 1985. More than 900 open heart procedures are performed annually. With nearly 19,000 patients going through the cardiac rehabilitation program and more than 21,400 procedures performed in the diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization laboratory, Mercy’s heart program is recognized across the nation. In addition, Mercy is one of only eight hospital sites involved in the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease, putting the medical center on the cutting edge of innovation in heart care.
• is a leader in telemedicine advancements, serving as one of two hub hospitals in the Midwest Rural Telemedicine Consortium in Iowa, which provides linkages to 38 rural sites throughout the state.

Mission

Our Mission as Mercy Health Network is to work together and with others to continue the healing ministry of the Church, promoting the well-being of people in the communities we serve by living the values of compassion, respect, concern for those who are poor, excellence and stewardship.

Values

• Reverence
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Excellence

Mercy’s affiliation/accreditation

Mercy Medical Center is a member of Mercy Health Network, and is accredited by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

The Mayo Graduate School of Medicine is the sponsor of the Mercy/Mayo Family Medicine Residency Program.

Mercy/Mayo Family Medicine Residency Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education.

A state-of-the-art education facility

Just steps away from Mercy, the Mercy/Mayo Family Medicine Residency facility is dedicated to family practice education. Here, you’ll find a beautiful design for individual study, lectures, conferences and patient care.

Completed in January of 1997, the building provides conference rooms, residents’ areas and clinic space where you will see patients. Throughout the center, education is augmented by sophisticated technology, including video teleconferencing with Mayo Clinic. Computer systems provide access to the World Wide Web, as well as medical information and telemedicine links to affiliated hospitals across the state of Iowa.