Established in 1916 as a gift to the city of Ames by Captain Wallace Greeley in memory of his wife, Mary, the medical center has grown into a 220-bed regional referral center. It serves a 13-county region in central Iowa, providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services. ​

Mary Greeley Medical Center offers a wide range of specialties, including:​ 

• Cancer care

• Cardiac care

• Mental health services

• Obstetrics

• Orthopedics

• Home health and hospice care

• Emergency services

• Surgical services

• Stroke care

• Diabetic care

• Magnet Recognition by the ANCC, indicating excellence in nursing.

• Joint Commission Accreditation for home medical equipment services.

• Commitment to continuous quality improvement guided by mission, vision, and values.

• Mission: Advance health through specialized care and personal touch.

• Vision: To be the best

• Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2019 and 2024, the highest honor for nursing excellence.

• Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2019 for performance excellence.

• Innovation & Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding employees in medical practice, leadership, nursing, and service delivery.

• PRIDE Awards honoring employees who exemplify the organization's core values.

• Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award in 2025 awarded to CEO Brian Dieter by the Baldrige Foundation.