History of Advocate Sherman Hospital

More than a century ago, 30 women formed the Elgin Woman's Club. With "Progress" as their motto, their first project was to establish and run a hospital in the booming and prosperous town of Elgin.

Advocate Sherman Hospital opened its doors on July 7, 1888, in a two-story house donated by local drug store owner and prominent businessman, Henry Sherman. There were four beds and one operating room. After numerous additions between 1895 and 1999 at its original Center Street campus location, Sherman was one of the largest medical facilities in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago.

A major event in Sherman Hospital's history happened in 1972 when the first open-heart surgery was performed at the hospital. It was one of the first open-heart surgeries performed in a community hospital in the country. Today, Advocate Sherman Hospital is a regional heart center and certified stroke center. Other services grew to include trauma and emergency services, a birthing center with high-risk services and a special care nursery, orthopedic care, cancer care services, immediate care and outpatient services, a skilled nursing facility and more.

As the health care needs and landscape of the community changed, Sherman decided to open a replacement facility on December 15, 2009 with 255 beds, located on Randall Rd and I-90 in Elgin. Everything about the new hospital was built with the patient in mind. From all-private spacious rooms, many with views of our geothermal lake to an emergency department with reduced wait times and efficient design, the hospital is the community hospital focused on "leading health" and is a regional destination for high quality healthcare.

Since 1888, Advocate Sherman Hospital has been continually growing to provide you and your family quality and compassionate health care guided by the Woman's Club founders' motto, "Progress."