Wabash General Hosp District

Description

Mission Vision Values
MISSION
The sole purpose of Wabash General Hospital is to provide high quality cost effective health care in Wabash and surrounding counties and promote the general health of its residents

VISION
In carrying out its mission Wabash General Hospital will strive to be

1 The hospital of choice for services that we offer

2 The employer of choice in Wabash and surrounding counties

3 Fiscally responsible and financially sound

4 Technologically uptodate for a hospital of our size and service mix

5 The leading force in identifying and meeting the health care needs of our
community

VALUES
The following values are important to us as we work toward completion of our mission

Respect

Customer Service

Valued Employees

Continuous Improvement

Public Accountability

Teamwork

Financial Strength

Safe Patient Care Environment

History

Our History
Wabash General Hospital was dedicated on June 3 1951 The hospital had a bed capacity of fiftytwo beds and eighteen bassinets

The hospital Board of Directors appointed by the County Commissioners were Frank G Wolf HA Fox TC Hardy Irvin Seiler Roy D Short and George Barnds commissioner member of the board

The active medical staff of Wabash General Hospital at the time of dedication was comprised of fifteen physicians Dr TR Young Chief of Medical Staff Dr GF Stein Vice Chief of Staff Dr Ernest Lowenstein Dr WB Baird Dr CF Brian Dr GH Couch Dr HA Elkins Dr CE Gilliatt Dr CL Johns Dr Virgil McCarty Dr JJ McIntosh Dr LD Morris Dr SW Schneck and Dr Francis W Porro

The Womens Auxiliary has been in full operation since 1950

In September of 1957 the residents of Wabash County gave approval by popular vote for Wabash General Hospital to switch from a county operation to the hospital district plan This changed directorship from five members under authority of the county commission to a board of directors consisting of nine members appointed by the county judge The new board consisted of Frank G Wolf Roland DeMarco Beulah Seitz WE Brubeck Carroll Risley George Barnds Fred Hord Harley Smith and Mark Madden

Wabash General Hospital received full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in 1954

Various renovations and improvements were made to Wabash General Hospital including the renovation of the dietary department in 1965 an intensive coronary carerecovery room in 1971 roof replacement cafeteria redecoration and repairing of the buildings exterior in 1972

An ancillary building attached to the hospital was opened June 8 1975 to house the radiology lab admitting and emergency room departments There were also two doctors offices in the facility

In 1979 WGH was faced with LifeSafety codes and state building requirements that could not be met The Administrator and the Board of Directors investigated the option of renovation of the then current building structure It was discovered that renovation would approach seventyfive percent of the cost of a new structure

In February 1980 the Board began planning for a new 38000 square foot onestory facility A variety of grants loans and donations funded the project Groundbreaking for the new facility was August 22 1982

Formal dedication of the new Wabash General Hospital occurred on October 16 1983 The Hospital Auxiliary was very instrumental in the success of the new structure by raising 85000 to equip the new sixtyfourbed facility

Changing with the times saw the WGH Home Health Agency begin in 1981

In November 1987 Alliant Management Services of Louisville Kentucky was contracted to manage WGH

On March 19 1999 the hospital broke ground on a 45 million renovation project This project moved outpatient services to the front of the building consolidated departments that were spread throughout the hospital and provided for more efficient services for patients and visitors There were approximately 8000 square feet of new construction and 18000 square feet of renovation completed The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on May 10 2000

Wabash General Hospital celebrated 50 years of Caring for our Community On June 3 2001 with an open house and unveiling of pictures of long time physicians Doctors R L Fuller C L Johns E Lowenstein and T R Young

On June 12 of 2002 Wabash General Ambulance Service upgrades to Paramedic status

In Mid2003 Wabash General Hospital became designated as a critical access hospital