Phelps Memorial Health Center is celebrating their 52nd anniversary by giving back to the community.
Leora Smith, Chief Nursing Officer, said “Today we celebrate fifty-two years of service…. but we also know the trying times that our community is facing with the current pandemic. Because of this, we want to give back to our community.”
She added, “We have 52 balloons to release for our anniversary. With each balloon we are donating $50.00 to the Phelps County Food Pantry to help those in need.”
In 1962, an ad hoc committee was loosely formed to determine the interests in the community for health care. This first committee quickly grew into a more formal group called the Hospital Study Committee. This group worked to begin the fundraising for the new hospital.
The Phelps County Memorial Hospital Association held its first board of directors meeting in March 1963. The board determined that the 12 directors on the board must be a good representation of every town in Phelps County.
The ground-breaking was held in July 1966 and construction began. In April 1968, Dr. Walter Reiner was elected president of the newly formed medical staff, with Dr. Donald Jones vice president, and Dr. Robert D. Anderson as secretary.
When Phelps Memorial Health Center opened its doors on April 28, 1968, 64 people were employed. Rex Kelly led hospital operations for 25 years. Since his retirement, three chief executive officers, including Mark Harrel currently, selflessly led our team to what it has become today.
Now, Phelps Memorial Health Center employs nearly 300 healthcare professionals and contracts with an additional 150 to provide over 100 healthcare services for patients and those they serve. Growth is attributed to the continued support and commitment of the residents of Phelps County, who have worked to ensure Phelps Memorial Health Center remains a strong partner in the community.
