The tradition of Des Moines General Hospital (DMGH) dates back to 1896 when it was built as a City of Des Moines hospital. The Seventh Day Adventists later purchased it and used as a tuberculosis sanitarium. In 1916, Dr. S. L. Taylor and Associates purchased the building, establishing the hospital as a not-for-profit corporation.

In 1956, a new wing was completed, bringing bed capacity to 80. A fire on January 29, 1965, caused considerable destruction and smoke damage. All patients and employees were safely removed. Two surgeries were completed and a baby was born during the fire.

From 1966 to 1969, the number of acute beds at DMGH increased from 80 to 145 and an additional 101 beds were added in 1976.

Des Moines General Hospital was an affiliated teaching hospital for the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (currently named Des Moines University). It began training physicians in 1915.

On July 1, 2000, Des Moines General Hospital was acquired by Des Moines Community Hospital Corporation (A physician investor group and Des Moines businessman Gerald M. Kirke). On October 24, 2000, the name was changed to Metropolitan Medical Center.

On February 27, 2002, Metropolitan joined the Mercy Family and became Mercy Capitol.