Ferrell Hospital history

Three years later, in 1928, a one-story hospital with 12 beds and five staff members was built at the current 1201 Pine Street location.

The hospital was named in recognition of its founder, Doctor J.V. Ferrell, and remained a one-physician hospital until 1937 when Doctor Robert V. Ferrell joined his father in practice.

The first addition to the original hospital structure came in 1941 when a second story was added and capacity increased to 23 beds.

Ferrell enjoyed further growth following World War II. In 1948, a north wing was completed, increasing the bed capacity to 40.

In 1958, new kitchen and dining facilities were completed as well as a remodeling project that increased the bed count to 49.

In 1967, the physician-owners sold Ferrell Hospital to a group of area businessmen and professionals.

Twenty area businessmen and physicians formed a land trust corporation in 1974 to finance construction of a new hospital.

The new facility opened on February 1, 1976.

SIH upgraded imaging and diagnostic equipment, including MRI, and added an off-site physical therapy facility, Rehab Unlimited, in 2000.

Ferrell Hospital received accreditation as a critical access facility in 2003.

Effective March 1, 2004, SIH entered into an agreement with Ferrell Hospital Board of Directors to return the hospital to local ownership and governance.

On April 1, 2005, Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation became an independent critical access hospital.

Ferrell Hospital entered into an agreement with Deaconess Illinois in December 2015 to manage and provide additional support to staff and services at Ferrell.