Our History

Rochester Regional Health was built on a foundation of strong partnerships and a dedication to serving our community. Learn how the system was built and key milestones in our inception.

The Rochester Medical Museum and Archive is located at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. Collections include The Baker-Cederberg Museum and Archives of the Rochester General Hospital, The Genesee Hospital, Myers Community Hospital, Rochester Mental Health Center, and much more.

Founded in 1857, St. Mary’s was the first hospital established in Rochester. In 1997, St. Mary’s Hospital merged with Park Ridge Hospital (now Unity Hospital) to form Unity Health System. In 2007, Unity Health System celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital.

United Memorial Medical Center was formed by the merger of Genesee Memorial and St. Jerome Hospitals on January 1, 2000. In 1902, a group of community minded women formed the original Batavia Hospital. In 1917, the Sisters of Mercy opened St. Jerome Hospital after Batavia resident Rose Jerome willed her family home on Bank Street to the order for use as a school or hospital. As the twentieth century progressed, so did healthcare in Genesee County.