Boardman 10 year Anniversary

Since first joining the community as a fully established hospital in 2007, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital has:

• Admitted more than 102,000 patients
• Treated 465,000 visits to its emergency room
• Welcomed nearly 10,500 new babies
• Invested nearly $50 million in community benefit, largely in charity care

This week, the hospital marks its 10th anniversary with events designed to reflect on its first decade and thank those who made it possible.

The "Decade of Excellence" celebration will take place throughout the week and will include activities to recognize and thank patients, the community, physicians and employees for their role in transforming the site at 8401 Market St. in Boardman from an empty, grassy field to a thriving acute-care facility.

Genie Aubel, president of the hospital, said that from the very beginning – even in the years of delivering care prior to the 2007 opening of the first official hospital tower – St. Elizabeth’s has been focused on meeting one of the most important needs of the community: access to compassionate, quality healthcare.

"It’s been both gratifying and inspiring to witness the dynamic between the community and this hospital during our first decade here in Boardman," Aubel said. "The community has embraced everything we offer here, and our physicians and staff couldn’t be more committed to delivering on our Mission of improving the health of our communities. We’re grateful for all who have entrusted us with their care during the past 10 years, as well as the skilled, dedicated team we have assembled to deliver that care."

One of the three hospitals that make up Mercy Health - Youngstown, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital now includes:

• More than 480 physicians as part of its medical staff
• 90 allied health professionals with privileges
• Nearly 850 employees
• Three residency programs

While at its opening the hospital was expected to double in size within 20 years, patient volumes drove planning for that expansion within its first three years in operation. Today, the hospital:

• Has nearly doubled its original number of emergency beds and operating rooms
• Is caring for nearly nine times as many outpatient visits as its first year in operation
• Has already doubled the average number of monthly births since introducing maternity services in 2014

Donald Kline, president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health - Youngstown, said a forward-looking approach has enabled St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital to continue to expand to meet the needs of the community.

"The evolution of this hospital – from the first shovel we put into the ground to where we are today – has been driven by the needs of our community," Kline said. "We’re always looking to the future to anticipate where those needs will take us next. We’re humbled by the patient trust, physician and employee loyalty and community partnerships that have defined our first decade in Boardman."

Activities and events to celebrate "A Decade of Excellence" at the hospital include:

• "Birthday" cards and treats for patients on in-patient meal trays the week of Aug. 7 
• Community donation from St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital employees, Tuesday, Aug. 8 at noon | Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley
• Spiritual Care Service | Celebrating the hospital’s faith-based heritage and its Mission, Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. | St. Elizabeth statue at the main hospital entrance
• Blessing of the Hands | To guide hospital staff in their care of the community, Wednesday, Aug. 9 throughout the day
• Anniversary Mass, Friday, Aug. 11 at 11:30 a.m. | St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital Azalea Room

"We know a hospital inherently serves as part of the fabric of a community," Aubel said. "Every physician, every leader, every employee of St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital takes that responsibility very seriously. We look forward to continuing to build on the foundation we’ve created here for many years to come."