Bates County Memorial Hospital: A Brief History
Bates County Memorial Hospital officially opened its doors on September 16, 1960, but the history of health care in Bates County laid the foundation for our current facility. Our community has had a hospital presence for almost 100 years.
In 1926, Mrs. S. C. Stayton saw the need for a community hospital. After renting a two-story house at 107 S. Havana Street in Butler, Missouri, she furnished five rooms upstairs for patients, while local doctors furnished an operating room. The first patient was admitted on June 17, 1926.
In 1932, during the height of the Great Depression, Mrs. Stayton convinced the city to purchase property for a new two-story hospital, located on the corner of Maple and College Streets. It was called Butler Memorial Hospital in honor of Mrs. Stayton’s late husband.
1932 – 1959
Our thanks to Bates County Museum for sharing images of hospital staff and local doctors from the Butler Memorial Hospital years.
In 1943, Butler purchased the building for $20,000. Though many additions and improvements were made over the years, by the 1950s, it was clear the community needed a new hospital to keep pace with state regulations and growing demand. An average of 1,400 patients were admitted each year. Between 65 to 70% of them lived outside the city limits.
1960 – Original Construction of Bates County Memorial Hospital
Under the direction of Carl Henry, the hospital’s board members raised funds for a new hospital via a $350,000 county bond issue. When it passed the ground where the hospital now stands was purchased, and construction began.
The County Court, acting on November 25, 1957, appointed a Board of Hospital Trustees consisting of five members: Front row, left to right: O. E. Bennett of Butler; Carl J. Henry (chairman) of Butler; Dr. L.D. Harper of Adrian; Back row: Fred Marquardt of Rich Hill, and Roy Hamilton of Amoret. The first administrator for BCMH was Carl A. Virgien (not pictured), a World War II veteran.
The new Bates County Memorial Hospital officially opened September 16, 1960 with 65 employees. It boasted 52 beds, 10 bassinets, a delivery room, two labor rooms, two operating rooms, a clinical laboratory, radiology and an emergency room. In its first five months, 564 patients were admitted and 87 babies were born.
By 1969, Bates County Memorial Hospital needed more space. Patients lined the halls and lobby 100% of the time. A $550,000 bond issue was approved that added 40 beds, bringing the hospital’s total to 90, plus a 10-bed nursery.
County-wide ambulance service began January 1, 1973, thanks to $10,000 from the city of Butler and a 1970 Oldsmobile High Top ambulance. The hospital also purchased a 1970 International High Top (pictured). Pictured are nurses, attendants and drivers in a photo published by the Democrat. Front row, from left: Sally Brummett, Thelma Houston, Gene Chambers, Shirley Moses and Faye Hewitt. Back row, from left: Benjamin Cozine, Jerry Jones, Warren Classen, Merle Kohen, Marlen Kohen and Cletus Schulte.
For 50 years, BCMH has completely sustained the cost of ambulance services for Bates County.
In 1974 and 1977, two more hospital expansions added much-needed space for everything from medical records storage to a respiratory care department. After the hospital’s second addition in 1977, the hospital had a new pharmacy, outpatient office, waiting room and treatment rooms, as well as an expanded respiratory care department.
Current day operating room at BCMH. The surgical suite at BCMH includes three operating rooms, a GI lab and state-of-the-art equipment. Much has changed in the world of health care, but BCMH continues to prioritize expansion of its services and maintaining quality equipment.
In 1987, a ceremonial bond burning was held to signify that all bond indebtedness had been paid. Going forward, the hospital paid for additions and improvements with reserve funds.
A single slice CT scanner from the mid-1980s
In 2020, BCMH acquired an 80-slice CT scanner – a Canon Aquilion Prime SP.
Offering the latest health care technology has always been a priority at BCMH. In 2004, we were the first hospital in the Midwest to obtain digital mammography. The hospital upgraded to 3D mammography in 2016.
Steelworkers top off the hospital’s latest addition with a crossbeam signed by members of the community. The project began in 2001 and was completed in 2003. The expansion added a second floor for obstetrics, medical/surgical and critical care units. The obstetrics unit closed in 2009, and the space was converted to a surgical clinic.
Today, BCMH is a 60-bed acute-care facility. We remain a non-profit, independent health system, and the largest employer in Bates County with over 300 employees.
Construction of Nursery Street Family Care Clinic. In 2009, Bates County Memorial Hospital established Family Care Clinics – rural health clinics providing primary care for all ages. The hospital hired all of the physicians and their staff who had been practicing in Bates County. By 2017, BCMH offered four Family Care Clinic locations in Adrian, Butler and Rich Hill.
Specialists have seen patients at BCMH since 1973. Today, the hospital’s Outpatient Specialty Clinic has outgrown the expansion of 2003, and includes an infusion center and 13 specialties, including a full time cardiologist. In 2019, our Outpatient Specialty Clinics registered 6,631 patient visits.
In 2020, our 60th year, we coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team went above and beyond to serve our patients and community. Every employee was involved in the struggle, whether providing patient care or support/administrative services. We endured several surges of high transmission and hospitality rates. We are extremely proud of the work and the excellent services our health care professionals provided during such a challenging time.
We hope you enjoyed this brief history of BCMH. Read more in the Vital Signs Anniversary Issue, September 2020.