Our History

As a Mercy Health donor, you're part of a legacy that started with the compassionate work of several congregations of Sisters in the mid 1800s. They were destined to be Catholic health care pioneers. 

The Sisters came to America to identify the unique and pressing needs in each locale. And then they rallied community leaders and citizens to contribute their time, talent and treasure to help them meet those needs. The charitable giving sought by the Sisters funded the Catholic hospitals, clinics, home health, hospices and other services that ultimately evolved into the Mercy Health we know today.

The health system owns and operates Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center, which has been serving the Lima community and west-central Ohio for more than 100 years. For much of our history, charitable giving has provided a margin of excellence that keeps St. Rita's on the leading edge of health care and ensures every person who needs medical services gets compassionate care, regardless of their ability to pay.

Today, Mercy Health Foundation Greater Lima continues to follow in the footsteps of the Sisters by connecting generous donors with the causes and programs they're passionate to support, ensuring west-central Ohio's growing health care needs are met with compassion and excellence. We depend on donations for ongoing support of the hospital, hospice, all medical services and community outreach programs.

Support from our donors ensures care for those most at risk and provides top quality medical care close to home for everyone in Lima and beyond. These are just a few examples of how donors like you save and improve lives.