Overview
The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine came to Canton, Ohio in 1908 and joined with area physicians to convert President McKinley’s former residence into Stark County’s first and only faith-based hospital, Mercy Hospital.
In 1911, the Sisters wanted to expand their healing ministry and opened a 53-bed hospital on North Market Avenue in downtown Canton. They continued to grow their ministry and in 1950, The Timken Foundation of Canton gave them the H.H. Timken mansion and more than 30 acres of land to the Sisters to build a new and larger hospital to serve the community. In 1970, they finished a 10-story hospital tower, right next to Interstate 77 (I-77)
In February of 2021, Cleveland Clinic purchased Mercy Medical Center from the Sisters of Charity. Cleveland Clinic Mercy hospital became the second Catholic hospital to enter into full membership of the Cleveland Clinic health system.
The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine live out the charism of love in all they do. It is that same, dedicated love, revealed in healing compassion, joyful accompaniment, and hopeful dreaming, that animates and breathes life into the legacy they left at the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.
We strive to live our mission daily:
“…to provide quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable care for the whole person while caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve..”
The Mission and Ministry Committee of Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital oversees the Catholicity of Mercy by assuring that we live our Mission and fulfill the spirit and requirements of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
The work of the Mission and Ministry Committee includes:
- Assuring compliance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services throughout Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and its facilities.
- Annually conducting a Mission Audit and preparing an annual Mission Report.
- Supporting and advocating for Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital’s Catholic religious mission.
- Working with the Sisters of Charity of St Augustine on Leadership formation.
- Supporting the Pastoral Care Department and its related initiatives.
- Advocating for the health care needs of the community as part of the hospital’s strategic initiatives and Mission Outreach.
What are the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs)?
The ERDs, a document of US Conference of Catholic Bishops, are the standards of behavior and practice everyone affiliated with Cleveland clinic Mercy must meet.
They include:
- A hospital’s social responsibility.
- Pastoral and spiritual responsibilities.
- Professional-patient relationships.
- Issues in care for the beginning of life.
- Issues in care for the seriously ill and dying.
- Collaborative arrangements with other health care organizations and providers.
The ERDs is a document of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Mission Values Committee assists the Director of Mission and Ministry in meeting the annual goals of the Mission and Ministry Committee. Contact the Director of Mission and Ministry at 330.489.1094.
Ethical Questions
Reporting ERD non-compliance or simply asking questions
If you have a question about the ERDs, or need to report an incident of possible non-compliance, complete the form below. You may remain anonymous or provide your name. If you would like to receive a response from a member of the Mercy Hospital Pastoral Care team, please include your name and phone number or email.
