The Julia Rackley Perry Memorial Hospital was officially founded on May 29, 1916 when an ordinance was passed by the City Council for the establishment and maintenance of a public hospital in the City of Princeton, Illinois. There was also provision for the appointment of a Board of Directors. This action was taken after a great majority of the citizens of Princeton voted in favor of a tax-supported public hospital in April 1916. Two years before, the issue had been brought to the people but was defeated.

In October, 1917 the old  hospital property was purchased for $4,711.58. Parker N. Berry was the architect and the contract for the building was given to W.F. Peterson of Chicago on July 25, 1918 for $88,730. After months of unavoidable delays caused by labor and transportation shortages and innumerable problems that confronted the building committee, the hospital finally opened on June 17, 1920; ten years after closing in 1910. Conditions became crowded as admissions increased. H.H. Priestly, H.U. Bailey and C.A. Trimble served as trustees under appointment of the mayor and commissioners of the City of Princeton until 1929. An Advisory Board was formed and named to assist the management of the hospital. The seven members appointed by the City Council were Mrs. H.M. McKee, Chairman; Mrs. C.A. Omen, Mrs. M. J. Eggah, Miss Mable McClenahan, A.H. Ferris, H.H. Priestley and Mrs. S.L. Bradley. The committees were named as follows: House: Mrs. H.M. McKee, Mrs. C. A. Omen, Miss Mabel McClenahan, Mrs. J.M. Eggan, A.H. Ferris and H.H. Priestley. Ground: Mrs. S. L. Bradley, Mrs. M.J. Eggan, Mrs. Florence Perry, H.U. Bailey and T.P. Gunning. Culinary: Mrs. C.A. Omen, Mrs. M.J. Eggan, Mrs. Florence Perry and Miss Mabel McClenahan. Finance: Mr. Ferris, Dr. Gunning, Mrs. McKee, Mrs. Omen, Mrs. Bradley, Dr. Flint and Mr. C.A. Trimble. Medical: Dr. Flint, Dr. Barrett and Dr. F.B. Schroeder. Executive: Mr. Priestley, Mr. Trimble and Mr. Bailey. Room was made for 28 patients and 5 babies. Miss Kathryn Pond was superintendent, assisted by Miss Teresa Kinsella. An informal reception was held to acquaint the public with the hospital; however, much was still needed to complete the hospital. When a request went out to the community for assistance people responded with everything from furniture to live chickens to help out. Members of the Needlework Guild voted to devote their annual collection to the hospital and was able to donate 1254 articles of linen. Neddy Nedved became the first baby born at Perry and records show that the hospital had 32 admissions within the first two weeks of opening. Additional nurses were added to the staff. Credit for the success of the hospital was given to Miss Pond for her hard work and wonderful personality. The operating room and x-ray department had the latest equipment. However, more funds were badly needed several months after the opening and a door-to-door fund drive was held, headed by B.M. Gibbs. W.O. Stevens gave a day’s receipts from the Apollo Theatre. A total of $3,306.77 was raised. Valuable aid was given from the Woman’s Auxiliary of which Mrs. C.V. Fields was president, Mrs. Emma Carlson was secretary and Mrs. C.A. Best was a chairwoman. The Auxiliary work included mending and making curtains, bed linens, towels, table linen, gowns and all related supplies. They met each week with each church sending workers. Success for this project was largely credited to Mrs. Florence Perry and Mrs. W.E. Sapp. Seventeen elm trees were set out around the hospital drive by the Princeton Post No.125, American Legion in memory of 17 area men who had died in the line of duty. Memorial rooms were designated as follows: First Floor: 101 O.B. Harrauff, 109 F.C. Bollman, 100 “In Memory of Samuel M. Knox”, 108 Princeton Fire Department. Second Floor: 100 The English Lutheran Church, 202 “In Memoriam Lorella B. Cushing”, 201 The Westminster Guild of the Presbyterian Church, 204 Kasbeer Junior Household Science Club, 205 Mrs. Eli Mathis, 206 Mrs. Watts A. Johnson, 207 Garner May, 208 Heaton’s Point Household Science Club, 209 Congregational Church Guild, 211 Mrs. C.P. Gardner, 217 Kasbeer Senior Household Science Club.

Administration

Rex Conger, FACHE , President/CEO
Lynn Luloff, Vice President - Financial Services/CFO
Denise Jackson, Vice President - Clinical Services/CNE
Cindy Tilson, Vice President - Support Services;
Corporate Compliance and Privacy Officer
Karen Russell, Director of Human Resources


Services

Ambulatory Care
DOT Testing
Fit Testing
Chemotherapy
Certified Wound/Ostomy Nurse
Diabetic Education and Teaching
Care Management [+]
Social Worker and Case Coordinator
Assistance with Discharge Arrangements
Arrangements for Medical Supplies
Home Health Referrals
Reach to Recovery Referrals
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic X-ray
CT Scan and a lot


Mailing Address:
Perry Memorial Hospital
530 Park Avenue East
Princeton, Illinois 61356
Telephone:
(815) 875-2811

 

For details information: Perry Memorial Hospital