Museum exhibit highlights 100 years of compassionate care at St. Mary’s General Hospital
Hospitals are more than just physical buildings. They’re also the care provided within their walls. They are the compassion that impacts the lives of everyone who enters. Those ideas of care and the people who provide it are the themes of an exhibit, BEYOND the BRICKS, currently at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.
This exhibit was created to mark the centennial anniversary of St. Mary’s General Hospital.
“It’s a unique time for St. Mary’s. This year we both celebrate 100 years of service and care in Waterloo Region, and also mark the next chapter of hospital care as St. Mary’s and Grand River hospitals come together to form one new hospital for the community,” says Mark Fam, President, St. Mary’s General Hospital. “Through this exhibit, we hope that visitors realize that what makes St. Mary’s unique is our people and the care they provide. Regardless of what we’re called or where we provide services, the world-class, patient-focused care the communities have come to expect will remain.”
Featuring untold stories, photos, cultural belongings and interactive activities, BEYOND the BRICKS explores St. Mary’s legacy. It’s also about the people who help us during many of life’s intense and transformative moments.
“Most people don’t want to go to the hospital – it’s not a fun experience for them. This exhibit provided us a unique opportunity to demystify hospital healthcare and shine a light on the longstanding legacy of care, partnership, and innovation that has shaped hospital healthcare in Waterloo Region,” says Tim Rollins, Chair, St. Mary’s General Hospital Board of Trustees.
The exhibit explores the hospital’s origins; it was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph’s, who saw an unmet need in the community to care for the sick. It has evolved through many expansions, to become a renowned cardiac care centre.
“Like hospitals, museums are integral to the heartbeat of a community,” says Sara Munroe, Manager of Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives. “Both the St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation and Hospital teams were intimately involved in the creation of the exhibit, and we are proud to have partnered to bring the vision of this exhibit to life through interactives, displays, and programs that tell the story of how an organization in our community has made such a significant impact on the people we care about most. We invite you to join us at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum to be part of this shared history.”
Creating this exhibit was a partnership, Fam agrees. “Our Foundation and Hospital team spoke so highly about partnering with the Museum and Archives. The combined skills and expertise of the diverse team of collaborators is the behind-the-scenes magic that enabled this exhibition to come to life. We’re thankful to the community advisory table, Hospital, Foundation, and Museum team members and partners for this work, which has culminated in such a remarkable recognition of 100 years of care in our communities.”
The exhibit is on now and runs until April 22, 2025. Learn more about the exhibit and St. Mary’s Hospital, at the exhibit webpage. The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
