St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center is a 43-bed regional hospital located in Pueblo, Colorado and is a part of the Centura Health Network. It specializes in orthopedics, cancer care, emergency services, robot-assisted surgery, breast care and women's services. History. In 1882, the Sisters of Charity opened St. Mary's Hospital in what had been a two-story boarding house. The hospital eventually outgrew this building and a new, four-story, 90-bed structure was built and used until the mid-1950s. In 1881 the Colorado Coal and Iron Company (predecessor of the Colorado  Fuel & Iron Company- CF&I) hired Dr. Richard Corwin to start a company medical clinic in Pueblo. The first building was located on company grounds near the Minnequa Plant in south Pueblo and became known as Minnequa Hospital. In 1882, a typhoid outbreak among the iron workers overwhelmed the small hospital so a larger 30-bed facility was built. In 1902, a completely new, 200-bed facility was built near Lake Minnequa. Upon the death of Dr. Corwin in 1929, the hospital renamed itself in honor of its founding physician. By the late 1940s, the CF&I wanted to get out of  the healthcare business and St. Mary's was aggressively seeking funds for needed expansion. Based on the Sister's good reputation, the board of directors voted to transfer ownership of Corwin Hospital to them for $1. In 1950, Corwin Hospital consisted of three two-story wings and 200-beds. In 1953, the Sisters of Charity decided to consolidate both hospitals. St. Mary's would be razed and Corwin Hospital would be expanded by building over and around the existing structure. The new, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center was dedicated in 1957, with nearly 500 beds and some of the  most advanced medical equipment in healthcare, which in turn drew new specialists to the area. Soon to follow was a medical office building, outpatient pharmacy, EEG Lab, cafeteria and dining room, which further enhanced the large, modern facility. A psychiatric unit opened in 1960 followed by an on-site blood bank in 1961 and the hospital's first intensive care unit in 1962. Further enhancements followed in the 1970s, A helipad was built and Flight For Life service was initiated. The Southern Colorado Family Medicine residency clinic was opened and a new, circular-designed ICU was added. The 1980s saw  further growth with the addition of another new wing. The 1990s brought about the opening of a new clinic, the St. Mary-Corwin Health Center on Pueblo's northside. In 1995, the Sisters of Charity joined with other Catholic healthcare providers to form Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI). The following year, Colorado CHI hospitals signed a joint operating agreement with the Portercare Adventist Health System to form a new management company, Centura Health. In the 21st century, St. Mary-Corwin is a modern medical facility with its own Flight For Life base, comprehensive cancer center, residency program and one of the  first stroke centers in Colorado. In order to meet future needs, a 220,000 square-foot, five-story expansion was completed in 2006, which "stands as a model of medical technology, efficiency and comfort." The addition, which is two-thirds the size of the existing hospital, includes a new emergency department, one-stop cancer center, rooftop helipad, enhanced diagnostic imaging services, and 112 private patient rooms, along with many other upgrades, equipment, and amenities. Hospital. Amenities. There is a cafeteria located on the first floor of the East Tower, The Lakeside Café, and a Corwin's Best Coffee Bar located in  the new West Lobby. There is a retail pharmacy on the first floor of the Medical Arts Building. The hospital also has The Cherry Blossom Gift Shop and a Resale Shop, the proceeds of which are used to fund programs benefiting patients. St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center has been a tobacco-free campus since 2005, free wireless internet is available throughout the building for patients and visitors, and the hospital provides a valet parking service. The St. Therese Chapel, located off the East Lobby, provides Mass at noon Monday thru Friday and is open to the public 24 hours a  day.