LCMH celebrates 80th birthday with look toward future

Little Company of Mary (LCM) Hospital recently gathered in celebration of their 80th anniversary. Three Sisters of the Little Company of Mary came to the United States in 1893 and continued their mission of hope and healing in the Chicagoland area for 37 years before building the original Little Company of Mary Hospital in 1930. Since opening their doors, the hospital has grown to help countless families who have found hope and healing at LCM during the critical stages of their lives. For the past eight decades, LCM has provided compassionate care to families living in Chicago's southwest area.

LCM celebrated its 80th anniversary with a special Mass of Thanksgiving attended by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, physicians, staff and community members. The Rev. Tom Hurley, pastor, Old St. Patrick's Church, celebrated the special anniversary Mass, in honor of his strong ties to the hospital, noting it as his place of birth and where his father, Dr. John Hurley, continues to deliver health care to people in their homes. Another special addition to the mass was the inspirational music provided by the LCM Choir, comprised of talented LCM employees and volunteers. Guests were invited to gather in celebration with cake and punch and were surrounded by artifacts of the hospital including photographs commemorating the decades of historic events that transformed throughout the years.

"We are eager today to celebrate this anniversary and lay the ground work of what is to come. We look forward to continue serving the community," said Dennis Reilly, president and CEO.

Today, the hospital remains a strong, not-for-profit Catholic, community hospital, continuing the mission of their founding Sisters. The anniversary comes in anticipation for their next milestone, plans for the groundbreaking of their Campus Transformation Project in Fall 2010, which will begin construction of their replacement building.

"A hospital is not just bricks and mortar," said Sr. Kathleen McIntyre, LCM, chairperson of the board of directors. "Our employees give it life and are the instruments of healing. We are empowered to carry on the mission of our pioneering Sisters into the future."

The Campus Transformation project will create the area's first all-private room, private-bath acute care hospital and will include a Women's Center for Life and Health. For the latest information on Little Company of Mary's Transformation Project, visit lcmh.org/transformation.

In celebration of their 80th anniversary, the hospital has created a Web site to serve as a collection center for LCM stories from the community. If you are one of 200,000 baby alumni of Little Company of Mary, they would like to hear from you. Additionally, LCM is collecting favorite memories or stories about the hospital from the community as well. All submissions can be sent to lcmh.org/sharemystory, include your name, city of residence, e-mail and if you are a baby alumni, the date of birth.

This is part of the February 3, 2010 online edition of The Beverly Review.

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