1955 to 1972

Grant Regional Health Center, formerly known as Lancaster Memorial Hospital, opened its doors Sept. 19, 1955. But plans for development started 10 years earlier. In 1945 a small group of interested citizens began considering the possibility of a new hospital. It wasn’t until 1952, when Lancaster became eliglible for government grants, that a new group, under the chairmanship of Albert Weber, started the planning again.

In 1953 Mrs. Sumpter (Lulu) Williams provided the bulk of her estate ($81,585) to assist in the construction of a municipal hospital. Thirteen surrounding communities of Lancaster voted to tax themselves $80,000 to be used to help build the hospital. In addition, over $25,000 was given in unsolicited private donations. The 36-bed hospital was built at a total cost of more than $600,000. It was through the cooperation of generous citizens of the City of Lancaster and surrounding communities that made this possible.

The hospital's history has been a story of continual progress to keep pace with the constantly changing field of health care. In 1956 there were 17 physicians on the hospital staff. The hospital employed 24 full-time employees and 10 part-time employees at that time. The hospital services included: business office, x-ray, anesthesia, surgery, obstetrics, maintenance, dietary and laundry. In 1962 a new wing was opened, due to overcrowding, and the hospital became a 56-bed institution.