About Wabash General Hospital
Wabash General Hospital was dedicated on June 3, 1951. The hospital had a bed capacity of fifty-two beds and eighteen bassinets.
The hospital Board of Directors, appointed by the County Commissioners, were: Frank G. Wolf, H.A. Fox, T.C. Hardy, Irvin Seiler, Roy D. Short, and George Barnds, commissioner member of the board.
The active medical staff – more... of Wabash General Hospital at the time of dedication was comprised of fifteen physicians: Dr. T.R. Young, Chief of Medical Staff; Dr. G.F. Stein, Vice Chief of Staff; Dr. Ernest Lowenstein; Dr. W.B. Baird; Dr. C.F. Brian; Dr. G.H. Couch; Dr. H.A. Elkins; Dr. C.E. Gilliatt; Dr. C.L. Johns; Dr. Virgil McCarty; Dr. J.J. McIntosh; Dr. L.D. Morris; Dr. S.W. Schneck; and Dr. Francis W. Porro.
The Women's Auxiliary has been in full operation since 1950.
In September of 1957, the residents of Wabash County gave approval by popular vote for Wabash General Hospital to switch from a county operation to the hospital district plan. This changed directorship from five members under authority of the county commission to a board of directors consisting of nine members appointed by the county judge. The new board consisted of Frank G. Wolf, Roland DeMarco, Beulah Seitz, W.E. Brubeck, Carroll Risley, George Barnds, Fred Hord, Harley Smith, and Mark Madden.
Wabash General Hospital received full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in 1954.
Various renovations and improvements were made to Wabash General Hospital, including the renovation of the dietary department in 1965, an intensive coronary care/recovery room in 1971, roof replacement, cafeteria redecoration and repairing of the buildings exterior in 1972.
An ancillary building attached to the hospital was opened June 8, 1975 to house the radiology, lab, admitting, and emergency room departments. There were also two doctor's offices in the facility.
In 1979, WGH was faced with Life-Safety codes and state building requirements that could not be met. The Administrator and the Board of Directors investigated the option of renovation of the then current building structure. It was discovered that renovation would approach seventy-five percent of the cost of a new structure.
In February 1980, the Board began planning for a new 38,000 square foot, one-story facility. A variety of grants, loans and donations funded the project. Groundbreaking for the new facility was August 22, 1982.
Formal dedication of the new Wabash General Hospital occurred on October 16, 1983. The Hospital Auxiliary was very instrumental in the success of the new structure by raising $85,000 to equip the new sixty-four-bed facility.
Changing with the times saw the WGH Home Health Agency begin in 1981.
In November 1987, Alliant Management Services of Louisville, Kentucky was contracted to manage WGH.
On March 19, 1999 the hospital broke ground on a $4.5 million renovation project. This project moved outpatient services to the front of the building, consolidated departments that were spread throughout the hospital, and provided for more efficient services for patients and visitors. There were approximately 8,000 square feet of new construction and 18,000 square feet of renovation completed. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on May 10, 2000.
Wabash General Hospital celebrated 50 years of Caring for our Community. On June 3, 2001, with an open house and unveiling of pictures of long time physicians; Doctors R. L. Fuller, C. L. Johns, E. Lowenstein and T. R. Young. – less – More from ZoomInfo »
