Hospital history
Since 1950, our hospital has offered the Miami-Dade County community a wide range of healthcare services and has changed and grown a lot over the last 60 years.
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital offers Miami-Dade County a truly special dimension–a dimension of faith. The hospital’s original and main building structure in the shape of a cross is significant and symbolizes the Catholic tradition of compassionately caring for others. We remain uncompromisingly committed to caring for the physical and spiritual needs of all the people we serve.
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is a Miami tradition built on faith. Born of a community-wide initiative to expand healthcare services, we have pursued a mission of caring and a commitment to providing quality healthcare services for the people of the metropolitan region and Miami’s international neighbors.
Our presence on the shores of Biscayne Bay is evidence of a commitment that began in the 1940s. As Miami’s population grew during and after World War II, there was a pressing need for additional hospital beds in the metropolitan area. The Diocese of St. Augustine, then the Diocese for all of Florida, answered the call. The church acquired a large parcel of swampy land south of the Villa Vizcaya and began a fundraising effort that received tremendous support from all of Miami’s residents. Collections were taken door to door, in movie theaters and even public schools. Construction began in 1946, and four years later, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital opened its doors on December 18, 1950, with 125 much-needed beds. The hospital staff was provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, who assumed sponsorship of Mercy from the Diocese in 1966.
In 1960, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital was the first hospital in Miami to open its doors to Cuban exile physicians, enabling them to rebuild their lives. The following year, we offered free medical care to any member of the Bay of Pigs Brigade.
From the day it opened, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital has recognized its role as an important healthcare provider for the community and international patients. Today, it is a leading choice for residents of the Caribbean and Central and South America seeking top-quality care and advanced treatments not available in their countries.
As Miami grew, so did HCA Florida Mercy Hospital as a comprehensive healthcare system. With each expansion, we have remained true to our mission: maintaining an uncompromising commitment to excellence.
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is a Miami tradition built on faith. Born of a community-wide initiative to expand healthcare services, we have pursued a mission of caring and a commitment to providing quality healthcare services for the people of the metropolitan region and Miami’s international neighbors.
Our presence on the shores of Biscayne Bay is evidence of a commitment that began in the 1940s. As Miami’s population grew during and after World War II, there was a pressing need for additional hospital beds in the metropolitan area. The Diocese of St. Augustine, then the Diocese for all of Florida, answered the call. The church acquired a large parcel of swampy land south of the Villa Vizcaya and began a fundraising effort that received tremendous support from all of Miami’s residents. Collections were taken door to door, in movie theaters and even public schools. Construction began in 1946, and four years later, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital opened its doors on December 18, 1950, with 125 much-needed beds. The hospital staff was provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, who assumed sponsorship of Mercy from the Diocese in 1966.
In 1960, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital was the first hospital in Miami to open its doors to Cuban exile physicians, enabling them to rebuild their lives. The following year, we offered free medical care to any member of the Bay of Pigs Brigade.
From the day it opened, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital has recognized its role as an important healthcare provider for the community and international patients. Today, it is a leading choice for residents of the Caribbean and Central and South America seeking top-quality care and advanced treatments not available in their countries.
As Miami grew, so did HCA Florida Mercy Hospital as a comprehensive healthcare system. With each expansion, we have remained true to our mission: maintaining an uncompromising commitment to excellence.