Madison Medical Center history

The practice began to grow and flourish in 1926 when Doctor J.D. Madison teamed with his nephew and pioneer in hematology, Doctor Fred Madison.

Madison Medical Center was completed and opened on March 1, 1961.

That dream was realized when the hospital opened its doors in 1962.

The new unit - with 12,000 square feet devoted to patient and family care - blends high-tech and high-touch elements. It replaced a two-room, 23-bed unit, which opened in 1990.

A major addition of nearly 30,000 square feet was opened in March 1998, consisting of brand new acute care, surgical, and admission areas.

In 2002, its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St Louis, became the first health care recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

In 2003, with a major investment in the fiscal plant and new leadership, many improvements were implemented at Madison County Medical Center.

Construction of Madison River Oaks Medical Center began in 2009.

After much anticipation, the doors opened on May 23, 2011 to receive the first patient.

Meriter is a 2013 recipient of the National Research Corporations' Innovative Best Practice award, Top Rated Adult Doctors award and Top Rated Pediatric Doctors award.

In 2015, the facility joined six sister hospitals in Jackson-Vicksburg to rebrand as Merit Health.

For the 6th consecutive year, Meriter, along with all of UnityPoint Health was named "Most Wired." Meriter was also named a 2016 Guardian of Excellence Award®winner by Press Ganey for outstanding patient experience in its primary and specialty care clinics.