Memorial Healthcare history

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 planning and fundraising efforts, however, started much earlier-around 1941, when the Salinas Community Hospital Association was formed.

In response to community need, and following a $1 million fundraising campaign, a 270-bed structure was completed at the corner of First and Miller Streets in 1943.

After six years of planning, development, and construction, Memorial Hospital opened its doors for patients on July 11, 1951.

The 138-bed Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital opened on April 20, 1953 with 100 employees and 45 physicians.

In 1958, the seven-story addition, known as the A building, was completed and opened for patient use and as a residence for student nurses.

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

In 1970, the advisory board was discontinued, and laypersons were invited to serve on a Board of Directors which operates the hospital as a non-profit organization to this day.

1971 – A four-story, 33,000 square foot wing was added to the Hospital.

In January, 1974, the hospital was renamed Memorial Medical Center.

1976 – Emergency Services began.

1978 – Cardiopulmonary services were expanded to address growing rates of heart disease The gift shop and cafeteria were expanded.

1979 – Memorial Hospital changed its name to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center.

1980 – The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary moved to a new home, and their former convent was renamed the Memorial Hospital Annex, which is utilized as office spaces today.

The Memorial Medical Center Foundation was established in 1981 to promote charitable support for health care in the Springfield community.

In 1984 a state-of-the-art cardiac surgery facility and expanded cardiology suites were completed.

In 1986, Memorial Health System formed Memorial HomeCare to offer a resource for a variety of durable medical equipment and professional services for patients at home.

1988 – Medical Oncology Services opened a clinic in the Medical Arts Building.

1989 – A full-time pediatrician joined the staff.

1991 – Memorial Hospital celebrated our 40th anniversary! Construction began on a new expansion project for outpatient services.

1992 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital—the first pediatric hospital in Broward County—opens as a facility of Memorial Healthcare System.

To meet the community's growing need for outpatient services, Memorial and a group of private developers completed an ambulatory services development in January of 1993.

In 1994, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Illinois joined Memorial Health System.

1996 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital's new Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program is the first to provide cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

1997 What a homerun! Joe DiMaggio and fellow professional baseball player Jeff Conine celebrate the opening of the Visitor's Clubhouse to serve as a "home away from home" for families of hospitalized children.

1998 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital pediatric emergency services expand through an affiliation with the Memorial Hospital West Children's Emergency Department.

2000 Children's Mobile Health Center begins providing free exams.

2001 A dream come true! The Cleft and Craniofacial Center opens, providing treatment for children with complex facial deformities.

2002 In celebration of its 10th birthday, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital constructs a new entrance.

2003 Let's honor a champion! The Visitors Clubhouse is renamed as the Conine Clubhouse in honor of Marlins World Series champion and clubhouse co-founder Jeff Conine and his wife, Cindy.

2004 Expansion of Pediatric Ambulatory Unit and new Dialysis Services.

2005 – The first three levels of the tower were completed and contained new facilities for the Emergency Department, Radiology Services, Chapel, Critical Care Services, and Women & Infant Services.

2006 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital launches a new emergency helicopter transport service to transfer children from healthcare facilities as far away as Central Florida and the Florida Keys.

2007 A healthy expansion! Memorial Regional Hospital gets the City of Hollywood's approval to build a new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital on property close to both health facilities.

2008 Let the ball game begin! The 20th anniversary of the Memorial Classic Joe DiMaggio Legends Game takes place.

In January 2009, our primary care network was renamed Memorial Physician Services (MPS). MPS includes over 40 physicians, 10 nurse practitioners and a physician assistant serving patients in 11 locations.

2010 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Pediatric Heart Transplant Program – one of just four in Florida – is established, and the team successfully performs its first heart transplant on December 15, 2010.

2011 The hospital for kids! The new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital opened its doors to patients on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

In April 2014, Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville joined the health system as a full affiliate.

2018 - Little Company of Mary Medical Complex opened in Jasper.