Continuing the Mason family legacy at OSF Sacred Heart
Donation in honor of Dr. John C. Mason Jr. will ensure continued high-quality obstetrics care
John C. Mason Jr., MD, delivered thousands of babies over several decades in Danville, Illinois, the community he called home. Mason passed away in 2020 at age 90, and now his family is continuing his legacy at OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center through a generous donation to the family birthing center. The contribution will help renovate patient rooms, among other things.
“Between our grandfather and father, there are almost 100 years of health care service to Danville and Vermilion County,” said John Mason, a son of John C. Mason Jr. “My brothers and I are grateful for the foundation that Danville provided. We always call Danville our home with enthusiasm. That gratitude and enthusiasm continue with this gift.”
John C. Mason Jr. completed coursework at the University of Illinois’ Urbana and Chicago campuses. Following military service, he returned to Danville and practiced for nearly 40 years, delivering or assisting in more than 10,000 births. Mason Jr. was also a faculty member on the UI’s Urbana campus.
The Mason family includes multiple generations of doctors and has been involved in philanthropy and community service in Danville and across Illinois. In 2004, the healing garden in front of OSF Sacred Heart (then called Provena United Samaritans Medical Center) was named in Mason Jr.’s honor.
Mason Jr.’s children recently toured OSF Sacred Heart to see quality patient care firsthand. The hospital’s family birthing center reopened in September to meet a critical need in the Vermilion County area.
“Every patient care area in the hospital is on our list to upgrade so our guests have a comfortable experience,” said Ned Hill, president of OSF Sacred Heart. “This contribution from the Mason family will go a long way toward that goal in our birthing center, a busy area of the hospital where our caregivers help mothers during their life-changing experience. We’re grateful for the Mason family’s commitment to OSF Sacred Heart and to Danville.”
Families interested in a tour of the family birthing center at OSF Sacred Heart can call (217) 443-5214. Those interested in supporting OSF Sacred Heart’s mission of serving with the greatest care and love can learn more here.
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access, 1 transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners across 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home. OSF OnCall delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org/.