Jefferson County Health Center history

In 1917, part-time health officers served Jefferson County and its municipalities, physicians who each maintained a private practice and received a small salary from the county or municipalities they served.

The first dental program was initiated in 1921.

In 1922, a barefooted, bleeding, and exhausted Doctor Judson D. Dowling, the county’s first Health Officer, headed home in Tarrant City.

The hospital remained in operation until the construction of the new hospital facility was completed in 1933.

In 1947 the hospital closed and the building was transferred to the Public Buildings Administration as surplus.

The City of Louisville purchased the building and renovated, reopening the hospital in 1953 as the Louisville Memorial Hospital to care for individuals with chronic illnesses.

In 1956, the Jefferson County Board of Health adopted the first regulations in the state of Alabama addressing on-site sewage disposal, water supply, and the construction and operation of public bathing places and swimming pools.

Jefferson County Memorial Hospital Inc. (now Jefferson Community Health & Life) was incorporated in 1960.

In March 1962, bids were opened and contracts were let to start construction.

The hospital and nursing home began operating in October 1963.

1968: Addition of south wing, increasing hospital capacity to 49 beds

1970: Addition of administrator’s office, conference room, and business office space

In 1972, JCDH operated the county’s Air Pollution Control Program, as an extension of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Regulatory control was established; during which time dramatic reductions in air pollution levels took place.

In 1975, the ownership of the hospital was given to the Louisville-Jefferson County Board of Health.

In 1976, the last patient was discharged from the Louisville Memorial Hospital and in the same year the Board of Health established the Louisville Memorial Primary Care Center.

In 1979, Family Health Centers received its first federal grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act which established the organization as a federally qualified health center.

1983: Addition of eight-bed wing to nursing home, bringing total to 41 nursing home beds

In 1985, the organization changed its name to “Family Health Centers” and a few years later the organization was incorporated as a non-profit organization.

In 1986, JCDH concentrated on preventive care in its health centers.

1988: Expansion of nursing home dining room, addition to laundry area

By the 1990’s, JCDH committed to direct patient care in our 7 primary care clinics; later that decade, adult outpatient care was added at 6 of our health centers.

In April 1991, the Jefferson County Board of Health adopted statements which articulated the mission and values of the JCDH.

1996: Addition of Bob & Wauneta Burkley Wellness Center (now Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center, new occupational therapy area, expanded physical therapy area, new front entrance and waiting area

2000: Became a Critical Access Hospital, a special designation which helps gives rural hospitals a different type of reimbursement (did not affect services offered and improved long-term financial strength)

2001: Began design of 42-unit Cedarwood Assisted Living, a private not-for-profit joint venture between Jefferson Community Health & Life and BryanLGH

In 2003, Western Mental Health Center, Inc. which was previously managed by JCDH as Western Health Center, became an independently operated 501c(3) not-for-profit agency under the local system-wide aegis of Jefferson-Blount-St Clair Mental Health Authority.

JCHC became a critical access hospital in November 2004.

In 2007, the Jefferson County’s Health Action Partnership, a multi-sector coalition of over 80 agencies, committed to improving health in Jefferson County, Alabama, was formed of the public health system led by the Jefferson County Department of Health.

JCHC moved into a new state-of-the-art 25 bed hospital in April of 2009.

In 2012, a new Health Action Partnership (HAP) Leadership Team was seated and chaired by Mark Wilson, MD, Jefferson County Health Officer, and co-chaired by Drew Langloh, President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Central Alabama.

Due to continued growth and community need a new addition opened in 2013 which is home to an expanded JCHC Clinics, American Eyecare, NuCara Pharmacy and Southeast Iowa Neurological Associates.

In February 2015, the new Western Health Center opened.