SPRINGFIELD HEALTH DEPT. history

1915 – The Spanish Influenza slows progress of fundraising for new hospital.

1916 – Springfield Hospital is operating close to capacity with 16 patients, demonstrating the need for new facility with 40 beds.

1917 – $30,000 is raised by prominent local businessman A.W. Snip LaFountain for a new building.

1918 – In September, Springfield Hospital registers 300 cases of the Spanish influenza.

1922 – On June 30, Springfield Hospital opens on Ridgewood Road at a cost of $200,000.

1923 – The original hospital building on Mount Vernon Street is sold at auction for $3,000.

1927 – Springfield Hospital serves 503 patients annually.

1928 – Springfield Hospital reports that its greatest needs are for semi-private (2-bed) and single rooms.

1929 – Start of the Great Depression.

1930 – Springfield Hospital cares for 605 patients annually with a daily average of 16.

1938 – Springfield Hospital serves 780 patients annually.

DuPage, and 18 other Counties in Illinois, are assigned this status in March 1942, which is financed entirely and operated as a wartime expediency, with active support and cooperation from local officials.

November 1,1944, the DuPage County Health Department is established through a referendum vote of 33,633 to 19,492.

December 1952, the worst Polio epidemic in DuPage County history ended following 130 cases and 14 deaths.

1953 – Springfield Hospital proceeds with a major building expansion, constructing a two-story wing plus rearranging and modernizing the existing facilities.

In 1955 the estimated population of DuPage County is 182,000.

1957– Apple Blossom Cotillion begins.

1959 – Springfield Hospital opens the first Special Care Unit in the state

1964 – Springfield Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary.

1975 – Springfield Hospital hires its first nurse practitioner.

Services were expanded to Greene County in 1976.

1978 – Groundbreaking ceremonies for $1.6 million expansion and renovation also known as the Modernization project.

1983 -The Physical Therapy Pavilion opens.

1990 – Springfield Hospital takes over the former space of the Rockingham Memorial Hospital and begins offering emergency care, physical therapy, and laboratory services.

1998 – The Precision Valley Free Clinic opens.

2003 – Springfield Hospital posts 11,685 days of patient care, 12,641 emergency room visits, and 216 births.

2005 – Springfield Hospital receives Critical Access Hospital designation.

2012 – Springfield Health Center opens in the former Fellows Gear Shaper building at 100 River Street in Springfield. =

2013 – Springfield Hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary.