Field Memorial Community Hospital history

In 1916, Miss Bertha Bowman, who had purchased the Miller hospital announced plans to erect a new structure on the site of the old hospital.

In May 1919, the work of organizing the drive for funds was started by Mr.

In the early 1920’s, young Doctor Richard Jennings Field returned home to Centreville to practice medicine in an office over the old Centreville Drug Store on Main Street.

On May 1 in 1921, Memorial Hospital was officially opened.

September 1925 – Contagion (Isolation) Unit Opened serving 7 typhoid patients in its first week

In 1926, the hospital had the honor of owning the cow with the largest production of butterfat in the county for the month of February.

The two-story, stucco structure, called the Field Hospital and Clinic, dedicated 75 years ago, in March of 1928, opened its doors to patients of all the area’s physicians and began its heritage as the cornerstone of this community.

In 1933, the hospital incorporated, becoming Leaksville General Hospital.

As war loomed in the early 1940’s, the United States Army established Camp Van Dorn right outside Centreville.

In 1951, doctors Jennings and Sam Field requested funds from the Mississippi Commission on Hospital Care for an additional 25 beds.

Field Memorial Community Hospital was dedicated in March of 1952, and was now owned by the two counties’ citizens.

James V. Pettitt, Chairman of the first fund drive in 1959, and later Chairman of the Board.

In 1962, a community fundraising for a more modern hospital culminated when rancher Tom Mee generously gave all the proceeds from a cattle sale, more than $150,000, to put the campaign over the top.

In 1964, the name was changed to The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, making it possible for them to accept any men who wished to join.

The original Field Hospital and Clinic were torn down in 1967, when a new wing of the hospital was added and paid for with investments in governmental bonds.

Wilk-Amite Haven was added to the hospital in 1973, a 38-bed, skilled nursing home also owned by the two counties.

Wilk-Amite Haven was added to the hospital in 1973, a 38-bed, skilled nursing home also owned by the two counties. It closed in 1979 when the privately owned Centreville Health Care Center opened.

In 1984 a construction project, consisting of a 48,000-square-foot addition and 19,000 square feet of renovation to the existing facility, was completed.

A new birthing center also was opened in 1992.

The surgery suite was renovated and a fifth operating room was opened in 1993.

The Smith McMichael Cancer Center, now UNC Cancer Care at Rockingham, a service of UNC Hospitals, and a nursing home were added in 1994.

In October 2015, a brand new state of the art facility was built along with a new name.