Hardin County General Hospital opened on April 2, 1952, with 50 beds, seven
physicians, and approximately 30 employee. Those first employees worked six days per week, and their fringe benefits were one clean uniform and one meal each day. The original building and land cost $450,000 and was built with County funds and with federal funds provided through the Hill-Burton Act.
The members of the first medical staff were: Dr. James W. Carroll, Dr. James V. Hughes, Dr. Otis Whitlow, Dr. O.C. Doty, Dr. Otis Keeton, Dr. McDougal, and Dr. H.D. Blankenship.
The Hospital Administrators have been:
William Speer 1952-1957
Rober Kidd 1957-1959
J.P. Cox 1959-1974
Phillip Langston 1974-1981
George Trent 1981-1982
Tommye F. O'Neal 1982-1987
Johnny P. May 1987-1994
Charlotte Burns 1994-present
Hardin Medical Center has continued to grow and serve the community. Some of our benchmarks include:
1961--Hardin County Nursing Home was established with 29 beds to serve the elderly of Hardin County
1969--Thirty three beds and a new X-ray department were added.
1975--New facilities for the laboratory, pharmacy, and X-ray departments were completed.
1980--A modern surgical suite was added, and the nursing home was enlarged to thirty-nine beds.
1984--Home Health Agency was begun, and nine beds were added to the nursing home.
1985--The Short Stay Unit, providing same-day surgery, was added to the surgical department.
1987--The long-awaited additions of a twelve bed critical care unit and an eight bed obstetrical unit were completed.
1992--The nursing home was increased to a 73-bed facility.
1996--Durable medical Equipment sales were added.
1997--Ambulance Service was aquired to bring quality emergency services to the residents of Hardin County.
2003--Addition of MRI Services
2005--Expansion and Renovation Project completed. Emergency Department, Radiology, Laboratory, Surgery, and Rehabilitation Therapy area are either remodeled or relocated. Cafeteria is expanded and renovated.
Today
Hardin Medical Center has an active medical staff providing family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, podiatry, and consulting physician services which include pathology, radiology, urology, cardiology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. The hospital, including our nursing home, and home health agency, currently employs approximately 420 persons.
Our Future
"Neighbors Serving Neighbors" is one phrase that has been used to describe Hardin Medical Center. We are committed to continued progress and growth to meet the evolving health needs of those neighbors: That commitment is reflected in our Mission and Vision Statements.
