60 Years of Caring

The year 2010 will mark the 60th year of West River Health Services existence.

It all began when area residents envisioned a hospital for the community long before it became a reality. Four men were selected as a committee to see what could be done in the planning. The four, Cecil Melby, Jacob Ihle, L.V. Skogland and Lloyd Schoeder, first met formally in 1945 to discuss the need for medical care and plan fund drives. The following year Congress passed the Hill-Burton Act, which provided funding for rural hospital construction. Also in 1946, the local group incorporated as Community Memorial Hospital to honor the memory of WWII victims from the area.

During 1946, the land was graded and made ready for the building, but the footing for the building was not poured until July of 1947. Much of the work at the building site was done by local volunteers. Gravel, brick, and tile were hauled by various farmers loaning the use of their vehicles and doing much of the work themselves. In 1948 the actual construction work began.

The severe winter of 1948 forced a halt in the construction work and it was not until the spring of 1949 before building resumed. Mr. W.B. Viestinez of Forsythe, MT was hired as the first administrator and was employed by mid-summer of 1949. Dr. John McNeil was also hired as a physician and he did much of the equipment planning for the hospital.

Dedication day was held on November 13, 1949 with more than 2,000 people in attendance. It was a very special day for the many who labored long and hard to see this hospital become a reality. Even though the dedication was held in November, 1949, the hospital officially opened for business on January 4, 1950. The facility consisted of 28 beds and eight bassinets. During the first week of operation 14 patients were admitted and three babies were born.

The first medical staff consisted of three physicians, Drs. Dach, Schumacher and McNeil. The hospital staff consisted of 14 employees: Mrs. E.C. Stewert, director of nurses; Chris White, RN; Jean Pagel, RN; Norman G. Miller, RN; Hulda Simonson, RN; Maxine Munyon, RN; Edith Ziebarth, RN; and Marlene Anderson, aide. Rose Marie Swanson was hired as a laboratory and x-ray technician. Thora Reyerson was hired as a cook, Mrs. Allen Leer as laundress, with Mrs. Ted Swanson being relief for laundry and cook. Mrs. Merwin Child and Mrs. Steve Bird were hired as housekeepers and Steve Bird as engineer.

After 39 years, Community Memorial Hospital had expanded into a regional medical facility, hence its new name, West River Regional Medical Center, changed in 1989.

The dedication of the community and surrounding areas 60 years ago initiated what is now a long standing tradition of quality. Because of the dedication of these same communities we have become what we are today and what we will become tomorrow.

06/28/2010