** History **
On May 4, 1937, the cornerstone for the Greene County Hospital was laid and a longtime dream neared reality. On December 31st of that year, the first unit of what is today's modern Greene County Medical Center was officially completed and a public open house was held the next day -- New Year's Day 1938.
The 32-bed unit was the culmination of seventeen years of work and planning, but it was the gifts of two Greene County farms which provided the necessary spur. The first was a 220-acre Jackson Township farm willed by the late Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Henderson. The second was the gift of a 180-acre Grant Township farm by Mrs. Lydia Turpin, the widow of Sam Turpin. Mrs. Turpin also gave the 15-acre site on which the institution was built. The people of the county, challenged by the generosity of these benefactors, voted a $100,000 bond issue and the government provided an additional $45,000. The Henderson farm proceeds were actually used for future developments. Many other private gifts, large and small, poured in to provide funds for equipment and furnishings.
The hospital's popularity in the area brought the need for an addition. The three-story wing to the north of the first unit was built in 1951. Bed capacity was increased to 64 and service areas were added. Twelve years later, in 1965, came another fine improvement which, among other services, provided an Extended Care Unit. A major donation came in the will of the late Cash Colbert of Jefferson to make construction possible. This unit includes what is now the main entrance to the Medical Center.
Obsolescence in the original 1937 structure, after 35 years of use, made necessary a modern acute care unit, which was completed in 1971. At this time the name of the institution was changed to the "Greene County Medical Center." The new construction provided acute care beds and a four-bed coronary care unit. It also released beds in the older structures for long term care residents, of whom there are now 74.
In 1981, a remodeling project provided a six-bed obstetrical area. In 1984, the Medical Center became the home of the Greene County Public Health Nursing and Homemaker Services by action of the Greene County Supervisors and the County Board of Health. Greene County Medical Center currently offers acute nursing care, skilled care, intermediate care and home healthcare to the residents of Greene County and surrounding areas.
In 1991, a $2.8 million bond issue was overwhelmingly passed to provide extensive remodeling to the outpatient, long-term care, public health and education areas and to make energy saving mechanical improvements. Two other major building projects were started: a new medical office building adjacent to the outpatient area for greater convenience to both patients and physicians and a 33-unit independent adult retirement community -- Ever Greene Ridge.
The physicians' office building was completed in October, 1992 with the main floor offices, exam rooms and reception area serving the Jefferson Clinic practice. The unique "pod" design for each physician's exam rooms and office was carried through to the lower level for GCMC's outpatient clinics conducted by visiting specialists. Health Information Management is also located on the lower level along with the physicians' library and lounge. Ever Greene Ridge residents began moving into their new homes in August 1992. Serving a need not currently met in the Greene county area, the independent senior living community has flourished. Nutritional support, housekeeping, maintenance and emergency response are among the many services provided by GCMC staff to Ever Greene Ridge.
During the spring of 1993 the conversion of the former Jefferson Clinic building to GCMC's public health and education center was completed. This brought the public health department to much more spacious and convenient ground level quarters more easily reached by its elderly and pediatric clients. In addition, much-needed conference and classroom space with adjoining kitchen area was also yielded from the conversion. Finally, two administrative offices with support staff area were created from former exam rooms and physicians' offices. The Long Term Care remodeling was completed in the spring of 1994. Approximately one-half of the rooms plus a dining room, family rooms and other areas were renovated creating a much more pleasant and comfortable home for residents and their visitors. In addition, a south-facing veranda was built to provide a better place for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
The final component of the construction projects was finished in July 1994 when the new outpatient/emergency room area was opened. More spacious, efficient, convenient and updated work areas were created for outpatient departments and emergency/trauma. A new auxiliary shop was added to the new central reception area. For over sixty years, Greene County Medical Center has stood proud, providing high quality services to the citizens of Greene County and surrounding counties. Truly, this is an exceptional facility organization constantly seeking to improve its services. Modern equipment and technology, well-trained and committed employees, highly competent medical staff and progressive trustees create the thriving environment for a successful medical center.
In 2005, a new east dining room and kitchenette were added to Long Term Care. This enabled GCMC to add a protected main entrance and enhanced front lobby. An expanded Auxiliary gift shop, conference rooms, administrative offices and board room were built on the lower level of the Long Term Care addition. Parking space was reconfigured and expanded for better traffic flow and patient and visitor convenience and safety.
