O'Reilly General Hospital

Aerial view of Hospital

O'Reilly General Hospital was an army hospital created by the U.S. Government in February 1941. It was built in Springfield, Missouri to provide long-term medical care for returning soldiers of World War II. It became known as "The hospital with a soul."

History

Post Commander Colonel George B. Foster, Jr

Hospital got its name from former Surgeon Gen. Robert Maitland O’Reilly.[1] The location was chosen in February 1941. The commander of the post was Colonel George B. Foster Jr. who declared on May 15, 1941 that it should be a "hospital with a soul."[2] It was dedicated on November 8, 1941 with room for 1,000 beds.

Interior Hallway

A 160-acre area of land was selected for the site. Already built on the land was a "castle" built by the Knights of Pythias. The castle was bought from the Knights of Pythias for $40,625 (half its assessed value) using an order of immediate possession.[3] The castle was renovated and converted into the Enlisted Men's Service Club.[2] The army built a ballroom, bowling alley and gymnasium inside of the building. Part of the basement was converted into a prison for Italian and German prisoners who required medical care.[3] The hospital began to conduct training for field medics. Many of the patients treated had severe burns. The hospital began using new innovations in plastic surgery to help the burn victims. It became a primary provider of reconstructive surgery and physical therapy.[4]

During the winter of 1944, area residents worked to makes sure all the patents in the hospital had presents.[5]

After the war

On September 30, 1946, at the end of the war, the hospital closed and ceased being operated as by the army.[3] The United States Veterans Administration reopened it in February 1947. The closed it down again in August 1952. It was then declared surplus property by the government.[6] The site remained unused until the General Council of the Assemblies of God bought most of the property in December 1954.[2][3] Part of the grounds are now the armory for the Army reserve and National Guard.

Faculties

The army initially built 91 buildings for the hospital. It was eventually expanded to 258 buildings and 3,426 beds.[1] They offered an occupation classes for staff and patients to learn new skills and take high-school exams.

Location

It was built between the roads of Division and Glenstone Avenue. The location is now occupied by the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and Evangel University.[2]

Legacy

The army Army Surgeon General recognized the army hospital as the "best in the Nation."[2] Over 100,000 patients were treated over its five-year period of operation. The hospital became a model for other army hospitals. The average cost per patient was five dollars a day.[5] Average recovery time dropped to 24 days from and average of 35 days.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "O'Reilly General Army Hospital crown jewel of World War II army hospitals". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Glenn, Michael. "O'Reilly General Hospital -- Springfield's Hospital With a Soul". thelibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Johns, Paul (October 2011). "The castle and the Army hospital". CCHeadliner.com. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  4. ↑ Carter, Thomas A (2012), O'Reilly General Hospital: the hospital with a soul, Ozarks Public Television, retrieved 2017-09-18
  5. 1 2 Rutherford, John (February 2002). "O'Reilly General Hospital Of Springfield Missouri". thelibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  6. ↑ "History - Evangel University | Springfield, MO | Missouri Christian Colleges". Evangel University. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
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