History
In the mid-1900s, Cedar Rapids industrialist Howard Hall made it a habit to visit his employees when hospitalized. In 1956, he learned one of his foreman would have to travel to Canada to be treated for cancer, leaving his circle of family support behind. He wanted better for his community, a place where patients could fight their battles against cancer surrounded by their loved ones and in familiar surroundings.
Working with Hospital Administrator Sister Mary Lawrence, Howard and Margaret Hall, his sister, Irene, and her husband, Beahl Perrine, purchased the first cobalt-beam radiation treatment technology west of the Mississippi for Mercy to use to treat patients in this community. With that, the Hall Radiation Center was born. At the time, Mercy was one of only six in the United States equipped with cobalt therapy.
Cancer care at Mercy continued to evolve, adding technological advancements and new specialty services. In 2013, the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center opened, bringing the area’s finest cancer specialists together, connecting them to the area’s only radiation center – all under one roof.
“We can never say it is enough.” –Catherine McAuley
We haven't stopped innovating and improving since, now offering expertise in all areas of cancer treatment, including detection, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, genetics, wellness and more. Today, cancer care is coordinated and supported by the latest advancements in technology, cancer research, and support amenities.
“If it only saves one life, it’s worth every penny
we’re putting in it.” – Howard Hall (left)
Our reach goes as far as 27 different counties in four states. We serve thousands of cancer patients each year – each one with a special, unique story that we treat with genuine warmth, compassion and understanding.
A cancer diagnosis can be shocking. At Hall-Perrine, our experienced staff is dedicated to leading the way in care that is integrated, timely and coordinated around the needs of patients and families. Working together, teams of specialists located in one place at one time provide a simple, comprehensive care plan.
Our staff will be there every step of the way. We are committed to helping patients navigate through services with a coordinated and comprehensive care plan that often crosses multiple disciplines so patients can concentrate on what is most important: their recovery.