Blount Memorial Hospital history

April 1948: Less than a year after the hospital opened, the campaign begins to build a new wing to meet the demand for beds and rooms.

May 30, 1950: The addition of the 70-bed east wing more than doubles the size of the original hospital.

1951: The first thoracic surgery is performed at the hospital.

May 7, 1954: Blount Memorial is approved for accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

7, 1963: The Blount Memorial laboratory becomes the first hospital laboratory in Tennessee -- and among the first 14 in the nation -- to be accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

July 25, 1967: The hospital establishes a coronary care unit.

1968: Blount Memorial establishes a practical nursing school to upgrade the knowledge and skills of nursing technicians employed by the hospital.

1970: A physical therapy department is established in the hospital.

1971: The hospital purchases its first computer.

1972: Dedication of the $4.5 million A.D. Huddleston Wing increases hospital capacity to 334 beds, and the first total hip replacement surgery is performed.

25, 1973: Blount Memorial launches a diabetic instruction program.

1974: The first total knee is replaced at the hospital.

1976: The hospital installs its first computerized pharmacy system.

1978: A general psychiatric unit is established in the hospital.

1980: The hospital's cardiopulmonary department begins a decade of dramatic service expansion in cardiology, respiratory care, vascular and neurodiagnostic services.

1981: Through a grant from the Jonsson family, the hospital establishes hospice services.

October 1982: The hospital purchases the SHARE occupational health program to help area companies plan more efficient health care by providing on-site registered nurses.

August 1983: The City of Alcoa becomes the first client to contract with Blount Memorial for occupational health on-site nursing services.

July 15, 1984: The hospital opens a new main wing.

December 1988: The first cardiac catheterization lab opens in the radiology department.

September 1990: The Blount Memorial Foundation holds its first golf tournament to benefit Foundation projects.

July 1991: The hospital opens its first occupational medicine physician-staffed clinic in Maryville.

November 1993: The Medical Fitness program is established to provide a medically supervised exercise program for patients with limited exercise capacity.

26, 1995: The hospital, local providers and physicians partner to create the Highlands Health Partnership, designing community health plans at a preferred price.

1996: The emergency department goes on-line with document imaging viewing stations, the first Cancer Survivors Day celebration is held, and the coronary stent procedure first is offered.

July 24, 1997: Blount Memorial Hospital is rededicated during the hospital's 50th anniversary celebration.

1998: The hospital partners with area physicians and the ASC Group to build the $2.5 million Maryville Surgical Center.

1999: A pharmacy robot that stocks medications and fills orders is installed; Home Services' licensure expands to include Monroe, Loudon, Knox and Sevier counties; the first Valentine Gala of the Foundation is held; and a parish nurse program is established.

2000: The Blount Memorial Health Center at Tellico West opens in Vonore, bringing occupational health, outpatient rehabilitation and home services to residents of Monroe County in one location.

November 2001: Work begins on the Blount Memorial Transitional Care Center at MorningView.

2002: Occupational therapy is added to rehabilitation offerings, the hospital's Web site is launched, a health information center is opened at the Blount County Public Library; and the first bariatric surgery is performed.

2003: Blount Memorial's 320-space parking garage opens, rehabilitation expands to include speech-language pathology, and the Transitional Care Center at MorningView Village opens.

2004: The employee count tops 2,000 with a payroll of $67 million, pediatric rehabilitation is offered and a partnership with Lincoln Memorial University provides a nursing associates degree program, consolidating nursing education programs at the Joan M. Jackson Health Career Center in Alcoa.

28, 2005: More than 500 community members attend the grand-opening festivities of the Blount Memorial Cancer Center, outpatient entrance, medical library and chapel.

July 23, 2007: The Blount Memorial Auxiliary surpasses 1 million volunteer hours.

31, 2008: Renovations complete on a new $2.9 million project to create a dedicated nursing unit for oncology patients receiving inpatient care and outpatient treatments.

1, 2009: Blount Memorial Hospital acquires Appalachian Therapy Center and Cherokee Health and Fitness Center.

June 30, 2010: After more than 25 years, Joseph Dawson retires from his role as administrator of Blount Memorial Hospital.

2011: Blount Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care celebrates 30 years of hospice care.

May 18, 2012: Blount Memorial’s Cancer Survivors Day Celebration marks its 15th anniversary, with more than 300 people in attendance.