History

Lincoln County Memorial Hospital accepted its first patient on April 16, 1953. However, long before the doors opened, plans for a hospital in Lincoln County were being made.

The hospital’s first board of trustees was appointed in 1946. Plans for a one-story building were submitted and funding was pursued. Six acres of land were purchased in 1950 for $5,000. Construction began in 1952 and a 50-bed hospital was scheduled to open at 7:00 AM on April 16, 1953.

However, Mr. And Mrs. Roy McCormack, of Ethlyn, presented to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning, and became the parents of the first baby born in the Lincoln County Memorial Hospital. Their daughter, Brenda Kay, jumped the gun on the opening of the hospital by putting in her appearance at 5:09 that morning. Dr. Joe C. Creech, of Troy, was the attending physician. Brenda Kay, the 12th child of her parents, received a $50.00 Defense Bond from the Bank of Troy for being the first baby born in the new hospital.

By 1959 it was apparent that an expansion was necessary. In 1960, an addition provided 14 new beds, and in 1968 another addition provided enough room to relocate the offices, Laboratory, Radiology, and the Emergency Room. This relocation provided space for a chapel, classroom, special rooms, and a larger linen room. Twelve patient rooms were added, providing 24 more beds. A third floor shell was also constructed to provide for 24 additional beds as needed in the future, for a total capacity of 82 beds.

In 1972, an Inhalation Therapy Department was added. An ambulance district building (now patient accounts) was added in 1976 behind the hospital. In 1978 the third floor was unveiled for a total of 106 beds. In November 1983, Two South was opened for patient occupancy. This construction added a new Surgery and Sterile Supply area and relocated the Business Office, Purchasing, and Medical Records. This construction also provided a larger and improved Intensive Care Unit, Laboratory Department, Radiology Department, and Emergency Room.

The Lincoln County Medical Center Hospital Home Care Agency was established in September 1984. Troy Surgical Clinic opened in April 1995, Troy Family Practice in June 1997 and Doctors Professional Clinic in January 2002.

In November 1994 the OB department was closed to better accommodate the developing community and its need for more specialized services.

In August 2000, voters of Lincoln County approved a bond issue for renovating the hospital. The 2001 project provided expansion and renovation of the existing Lincoln County Medical Center. One-story at the front of the hospital replaced the Emergency and ICU areas, provided a new main entry and chapel, and provided new facilities for Outpatient, Surgery, Prep, and Recovery. Radiology was expanded and reconfigured in renovated space; The Rehab department was relocated and enlarged. Other areas affected by the project were Cardio-Pulmonary, and Laboratory. Dietary received a cosmetic upgrade, as well as several other support areas for the hospital. As part of the project, space that formerly housed the OB department was demolished, and Medical Records expanded into that area. A license capacity was then reduced from 72 to 61 beds.

On September 1, 2004, Lincoln County Medical Center was classified as a Critical Access Hospital by the Joint Commission. The classification certified the hospital as a licensed health care provider offering services to residents locally.

Lincoln County Medical Center has been JCAHO accredited since 1996. In April 2001 Lincoln County Memorial Hospital changed its name to Lincoln County Medical Center.

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