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Description

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For more than 80 years the Hendrick name has been the first name in healthcare in Abilene Texas and the Texas Midwest As the first healthcare network to establish a true system of services the Hendrick name reigns over a 504bed medical center a womens center rehabilitation hospital cancer center and numerous other innovative services

Hendrick was the first hospital to permanently serve the Texas Midwest when its doors opened in 1924 During the Great Depression it was the first hospital people of the Big Country area rallied behind to keep the doors open when money was scarce Mr and Mrs Thomas Hendrick for whom the institution was named made the first major financial gift to the hospital Through the years it has been the first in the area to offer specialized services creating departments to fill needs such as physical medicine nuclear medicine spiritual care and much more

Hendrick has been the first to offer aggressive innovative treatments and preventive healthcare measures ranging from services such as cancer screenings and prenatal education courses to electrophysiology procedures and pediatric intensive care Providing the strength of a complete system of health services available in their own backyards most of the citizens of Abilene and the 22 counties that surround it look to Hendrick as their first choice for healthcare In fact research shows 64 percent of area residents prefer Hendrick for their healthcare needs

Hendrick is an institution where people can feel a strong sense of belonging an advanced medical provider the people of the Texas Midwest can call their own Hendrick Medical Center is one of seven healthcare institutions affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas As part of Hendrick Health System the hospital is licensed for 504 beds About 2600 staff members create the Hendrick Health System team of employees And people of all ages and races men and women receive precision care at Hendrick every day regardless of the way they are able to pay

There are numerous ways Hendrick is involved in the community not just from a healthcare perspective but from the various services Hendrick provides to the community These services include
The Childrens Miracle Network First Care Health Plans FirstChoice Membership Club Hendrick Balance Center Hendrick Cancer Center Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation Vera West Womens Center Hendrick Birth Place Hendrick Health Club Hendrick Hearing HealthCare Hendrick Heartsaver Network Hendrick Hospice Care Hendrick HouseCalls Hendrick League House Hendrick Long Term Acute Care Hendrick Medical Center Foundation Hendrick Medical Supply Hendrick Professional Pharmacy Hendrick Radiology Center Hendrick Regional Laboratory Hendrick Sleep Disorders Center Lifeline Emergency Response System Level III Trauma Center Meek Blood Center Hendrick Childrens Hospital Pastoral Care Sellers Health Sciences Library Skilled Nursing Facilities Volunteer Services and more Our staff and employees know what it means to give back to our community Our employees help raise funds and give of their time to Childrens Miracle Network The United Way of Abilene and many other community organizations

The mission created more than 80 years ago continues today and it will remain so as Hendrick Health System moves into the future striving to deliver high quality healthcare emphasizing excellence and compassion consistent with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ

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History

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Hendrick History
The Man with a Vision
Millard A Jenkins

Reverend MA Jenkins DD is quotThe Father of Hendrick Health System
quotFor three years we dreamed prayed talked hospital but the signs of promising interest did not develop rapidly Finally the sick and suffering in Abilene needing the strong helping hand of a hospital and the conviction of the community and Baptist brotherhood to fulfill the call of a healing ministryled to the opening of the West Texas Baptist Sanitarium a Christian Hospital September 15 1924quot

The Vision Becomes a Reality
1920s
The first unit of the hospital was erected in September 1924 at a cost of 150000

Five stories 72 rooms and admitted more than 800 patients in the first year

Hot and cold running water in each room three modern elevators wellequipped obstetrical department

Pauline May Turnidge first baby born at Hendrick October 17 1924

Motto quotNo matter what your belief or creedquot

Weve Come Through it All
1930s

During the depression of the late 1930s the hospital accepted chickens
goats and blackeyed peas as payment for service

In 1935 West Texas Baptist Sanitarium affiliates with the Baptist General
Convention of Texas to perpetuate the Christian spirit and mission of the
facility

In 1936 a generous gift from TG Hendrick a local oilrich businessman
saved the hospital from financial trouble He donated money to pay the
hospital debts and a new wing The hospital was renamed Hendrick Memorial
Hospital

Meeting the Needs
1940s

CampBarkley brought hundreds of families to Abilene

In 1943 the maternity ward doubled in capacity to meet the needs of the postwar baby boom

Partnership
1950s

Dyess Air Force Base was established in the 1950s bringing new growth to Abilene

Parker Hall was built in 1958 to accommodate the increasing need for nurses

In 1954 a fund drive was instituted to allow the public to help purchase new equipment for the hospital including new operating room lights a cardiac defibrillator operating room cardioscope oxygen tents bassinets and suction machines

Under Construction
1960s

In 1960 Hendrick expanded services with an Xray department monitoring unit for catheterization and an oscillating bed

In 1963 the Anderson Wing named in honor of Minnie Anderson was completed The wing provided 84 new rooms an emergency room new administrative staff offices and a new clinical lab

In 1966 the Meek Wing was built to house Meek Childrens Hospital additional space for the nursing school the blood bank and a medical library

Drs Meadows and Mendenhall surgeons enable hospital to offer reconstructive heart surgery

Change at the Helm
1970s

1970 brought the retirement of EM Collier who served as the third Superintendent for 40 years Boone Powell Jr led the hospital through the 1970s

Also in 1970 the Emergency Room expanded service to 24hours seven days per week 16216 patients were admitted in 1970

In 1972 the Critical Care Unit opened and Obstetrics was remodeled and renamed quotMothercarequot

The Physical Therapy Department was added in 1974 along with the Hendrick Medical Center Foundation

In 1976 it was decided to change the name from Hendrick Memorial Hospital to Hendrick Medical Center a better representation of the medical services offered to the community

Children The Heart of Hendrick
1980s

Michael C Waters became the fifth administrator of Hendrick in 1980 He oversaw the expansion of childrens services including a new Labor and Delivery Unit and a new nursery

In 1981 the Patient Relations department was added

In 1986 Hendrick League House opened

In 1987 Hendrick Retirement Village opened and new Cardiac Cath Lab equipment was purchased

In 1988 The FirstChoice program began by the end of the first year 2000 members had joined

Growth on Every Corner
1990s

In 1992 Hendrick Heartsaver Network was formed and a Pediatric ICU and Hendrick Center for Extended Care opened

Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation was built in 1993

Hendrick Health Club and Hendrick Family Health Center were finished in 1996

Vera West Womens Center was dedicated in 1998

In 1999 the Shelton Building was dedicated with expanded services of Hendrick Cancer Center and Hendrick Day Surgery




Hendrick Memorial Hospital was awarded a 100000 governmental grant as a part of the Federal Works Project

With the increase in the number of polio patients the use of the Iron Lung increased Students in the School of Nursing were responsible for the maintenance of the machine