Hillcrest HealthCare System history

37 years ago this week, on June 25, 1985, a series of explosions leveled the Aerlex Corp. fireworks factory at Hallett between Terlton and Jennings.

1987 – University Pharmacy (now Priority Pharmacy) begins to fill scripts for AZT, the first available prescription for treatment of HIV/AIDS. AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACTUP) San Diego is founded.

By 1989, the hospital and medical school close because of $25 million debt.

1990: Cancer Treatment Centers of America opens its Southwestern Regional Medical Center in the CityPlex towers.

1992 – To attract more insured patients, UCSD expands and remodels their facility at a cost of $37 million.

The hospital expanded in 1994 to provide increased outpatient and diagnostic services and an on-campus medical office building.

1995 – Mercy Hospital joins with Scripps Health but retains a connection with the Sisters of Mercy.

1996: Columbia/HCA Healthcare of Nashville buys Tulsa Regional Medical Center and turns it into a for-profit organization.

In 1997 the Meridia Health System became part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

1999: SouthCrest Hospital is built as a venture of Hillcrest and Columbia HCA Healthcare Corp.

2001: Hillcrest sells its share of SouthCrest to Dallas-based Triad Hospitals Inc.

2004: Ardent Health Services, a for-profit company, announces it will buy Hillcrest Healthcare System for $281.2 million.

On this day in 2005, the 2-1-1 telephone system rang in with Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune placing the ceremonial first call.

In 2006, the four hospitals (Meridia Euclid Hospital, Meridia Hillcrest Hospital, Meridia Huron Hospital, and Meridia South Pointe Hospital) were collectively known as the East Region Hospitals of the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

But a change in management came in 2007 with CEO Glenn Robinson, and doctor-hospital relationships improved.

The first Signature Villas were opened in 2009, featuring beautiful single family and duplex homes for those 55 and better.

2011: Hillcrest signs an agreement to buy SouthCrest Hospital and Claremore Regional Hospital.

2012: St John Health System announces it will become part of St Louis-based Ascension Health, the largest Catholic nonprofit health system in the country.

Construction on The Grand Lodge at Hillcrest Country Estates continues and has more than 75% of the independent apartments reserved with an expected opening date in spring 2015.

In 2016, Cleveland Clinic Children’s expanded its pediatric services at Hillcrest.

In 2018, Hillcrest Hospital celebrates 50 years of proudly serving the community.

Hillcrest Health Services won the 2019 McKnight’s Silver Award for Innovator of the Year for integrating the Montessori Method into dementia care.

Hillcrest Shadow Lake began a major renovation that would be completed in January 2020.