Logo courtesy of West Tennessee Healthcare
West Tennessee Healthcare, the region’s largest health care provider and employer in the region, is celebrating its 71st anniversary this month.
The need for a new, modern hospital in Jackson, TN became critical during World War II, as the population in the area grew. Three small community hospitals, operating at the time, were combined to form a 123-bed hospital with 166 employees due to the persistence of civic clubs, local leaders, and the Tennessee General Assembly. The Tennessee legislature created the private act in 1949 to form Jackson-Madison County General Hospital District (“the District”) to provide a full range of health care with due regard for the needs of low income and indigent patients. Jackson-Madison County General Hospital opened the door to treat its first patient on August 11, 1950.
West Tennessee Healthcare has now grown into a comprehensive health system operating seven hospitals, which includes Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Bolivar Hospital, Camden Hospital, Dyersburg Hospital, Milan Hospital, Volunteer Martin Hospital and Pathways Behavioral Health Hospital. West Tennessee Healthcare operates 40 clinics, 15 Sports Plus Centers, as well as, providing other health care services to include the, West Tennessee Healthcare Rehab Centers, Kirkland Cancer Center, Lift Wellness Center, Sleep Centers and EMS. West Tennessee Healthcare now employs over 7,000 people throughout the region.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Curtis Mansfield, said, “Congratulations to West Tennessee Healthcare on the anniversary. It’s important to recognize the organization, especially this year, for the role it plays across the region in providing quality healthcare. The pandemic and the healthcare needs of our communities serve to emphasize the incredible work that the medical staff and employees do on a daily basis, and we all should be proud of our health care heroes.”
“It’s gratifying that our mission over the past 71 years of improving the health and wellbeing of the communities that we serve has largely remained unchanged. Our ability to provide exceptional and compassionate care is due to the selfless service of the people in this organization, including our employees, volunteers, medical staff members, and our Board,” said James Ross, President and CEO. “For seventy-one years, we have been serving Jackson and Madison County, and we have had the opportunity to grow and serve all of West Tennessee during this time. We thank our patients and our communities for your support over the past seventy-one years, and we hope to continue this work for many more years to come as we continue to meet the need and make a difference.”
In a zoom call Wednesday, Jackson City Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris presented a joint proclamation proclaiming August 11, 2021 as West Tennessee Healthcare Day.
Likewise, Representative Johnny Shaw, Representative Chris Todd, and Senator Ed Jackson were on hand on the zoom call to congratulate the organization for serving the region successfully for 71 years.
About West Tennessee Healthcare:
West Tennessee Healthcare is a public, not-for-profit healthcare system with locations serving 19 counties in West Tennessee and Southeast Missouri. The mission of West Tennessee Healthcare is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve while providing exceptional and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wth.org.