HISTORY

Decatur General, rich in history because of it ties to our community, began as the vision of a group ladies who banded together to care for a town suffering from a yellow fever epidemic in 1888. These ladies, known as the Ladies Benevolent Society, sold surplus supplies after the epidemic and set aside money to establish a hospital. In 1915, the ladies met their goal by opening Ladies Benevolent Society Hospital, the forerunner to Decatur General.


Aug. 18, 1915 Ladies Benevolent Society Hospital opened with 28 beds.
1923 Hospital's first major edition included additional 34 beds, surgery and X-ray facilities.
1915-1944 Hospital also served as a training school for nurses.
1945 Benevolent Society Hospital ownership transferred to City of Decatur and Morgan County - renamed Decatur General Hospital.
1947 Additions include more patient beds, kitchen and dining facilities.
1950 Further expansion added 25 patient beds, storage space, laundry and maintenance services.
1956 Surgical expansion added obstetrical beds, laboratory space, additional administrative space and facilities for the mentally ill.
1966 Radiology, emergency and central supply services added, along with more patient beds.
1971 Coronary and intensive care facilities began and a pediatric wing added.
1973 Psychiatric care and physical therapy added as additional services.
1974 New dietary and administrative suites completed.
1975 Volunteer Program established.
1984 Decatur General Foundation established to raise funds for existing programs and develop new healthcare services.
1986 The five-story Raymond A. Britain wing completed.
1987 Decatur General Oncology Center established.
1989 20-bed inpatient adult and adolescent psychiatric unit opened in hospital.
First Camp Bluebird, North Alabama's only adult cancer camp, at St. Bernard in Cullman, Ala.
1990 Mammography Center completed.
First Lights of Love tree-lighting ceremony raised funds for hospital cancer programs.
1992 Cardiac Catheterization Lab added.
1993 Decatur General West Behavioral Medicine Center opened on Kathy Lane in Southwest Decatur.
1995 Medical Plaza, Parking Deck and Skywalk established on main campus of hospital.
Hospital acquires Decatur Pediatrics.
1997 Women's Center established, covering entire fifth floor of hospital.
Two outpatient physical therapy clinics established – RehabAccess East and West.
Hospital acquires Riverside Pediatrics.
1998 Emergency Department expanded to 12,000 square feet, double its previous size.
Sleep Disorders Center established.
1999 Priceville Internal Medicine opened, serving as only health clinic in the town of Priceville.
2000 Kermit Pitt, MD Pediatric Center opened on fourth floor of hospital.
2001 RehabAccess clinics combined into one and relocated at new, 20,000 square foot facility in Southwest Decatur.
2002

Planning stages begin for facility expansion.
Plans underway for Community Free Clinic, Decatur-Morgan County, Inc.
Wellness Center opens at Decatur General RehabAccess.

2003 Hospitalist Program is implemented.
2004 New services include: Stroke Center, Cardiovascular Center, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Bariatric Surgery, and Surgery Center of Decatur-an outpatient surgery clinic.