Huntsville Hospital System

Description

About Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville Hospital is all about people Since 1895 when the tiny Huntsville Infirmary opened our focus has been people serving people More than a century later that focus has expanded to include service to people throughout north Alabama and southern Tennessee Today we are one of the largest locally owned notforprofit hospitals in the nation with 881 licensed acute care beds As a teaching facility for the University of AlabamaBirminghams School of Medicine and Family Practice Residency Program Huntsville Hospital helps train family physicians for communities throughout Alabama and beyond In addition the hospital serves as a primary site for more than 50 national drug research projects

Leading our health care team is our medical staff of nearly 650 highly trained physicians who are supported by 5600 hospital employees including nearly 2000 nurses Our facilities include Huntsville Hospital Huntsville Hospital for Women amp Children an outpatient Medical Mall Madison Medical Park and a 70bed rehabilitation hospital located on our campus

Our Mission
To provide quality care that improves the health of those we serve

Our Vision
To be one of the best health systems in America and consistently strive to provide clinical and service excellence

Our Values
Integrity being consistent honest and fair in everything we do

Excellence exceeding the standards in service clinical and financial performance

Innovation promoting creativity to enhance patient care and organization performance through a team environment

Accountability taking responsibility and ownership for our actions and their outcomes

Compassion awareness of the needs of others

Safety eliminating or minimizing potential harm to our patients visitors physicians and employees

History

1895
A small infirmary is opened on Mill Street The Infirmary was the result of the United Charities of Huntsville a group dedicated to helping the sick and needy The rent was 1250 per month

1904
The Infirmary moves to a new location The house had previously been owned by Mollie Teal who left the home to the city 112 patients were treated in the Infirmary during the year

1916
The city appeals to the State Health Department for help after typhoid fever devastates the community Dr Carl Grote Sr later to become known as the patriarch of Huntsville Hospital answers the call

1918
An outbreak of Spanish Flu ravishes Huntsville Almost 400 people died of the disease in less than four months Dedication to their jobs became deadly when only four doctors in Madison County escaped the disease

1925
A campaign is begun by Dr Carl Grote Sr to raise funds for a new hospital In an outpouring of public sentiment most of the money was raised by private donations Property was donated by Harry Rhett Sr

1926
A modern hospital the first of its kind in the Tennessee Valley is built The name is officially changed from the Huntsville Infirmary to Huntsville Hospital

1932
The Depression strikes home when the hospital is faced with the prospect of having to close its doors

1943
President Roosevelt approved 45850 in federal funds to expand the hospital to 76 beds The project also included the first emergency room and an Xray department

195557
Expansion added new patient wings to the north and south ends of the 1926 building An oxygen supply system was installed and the entire facility was made more fireproof

1961
Huntsville Hospital was deeded over to the City of Huntsville in order to sell construction bonds to finance badly needed expansion

1963
Construction provided four floors of nursing units bringing bed capacity to 320

1964
Hospital Auxiliary volunteers known as quotPink Ladiesquot begin their service

1967
The states first onsite employee child care center opens at Huntsville Hospital

1973
Huntsville Hospital is selected as the teaching facility for UAHs School of Primary Medical Care In addition North Alabamas only Neonatal Nursery opens at Huntsville Hospital

1979
Construction of North Tower brings bed capacity to 578

1981
Regions first open heart surgery performed at Huntsville Hospital by Dr Stancil Riley

1982
Huntsville Hospital reincorporated under the State Health Care Authority Act

1985
MedFlight service established at hospital

1994
Huntsville Hospital puchases Medical Center Hospital from Columbia becoming Huntsville Hospital East

1995
Huntsville Hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary

2002
Huntsville Hospital East becomes Huntsville Hospital for Women amp Children

2003
Huntsville Hospital completes construction of a two car overhead tram system connecting the main facilities on campus

2005
Construction begins on a new 84 bed patient room tower and an expanded Emergency Department