PCH celebrates National Hospital Week

National Hospital Week, held this year from May 10-17, highlights the adage of every hospital, health system and person involved in keeping our communities healthy -- that health comes first.

Now more than ever, this week provides the opportunity to highlight hospital and health-care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting the needs of our community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Putnam County Hospital is proud to be part of such an amazing and supportive community,” said Brooke Trissel, director of marketing and community relations. “We will continue to provide exceptional health care close to home.”

In 1908, 26 Putnam County women started what would be the founding of a hospital to serve their family and friends. The hospital would offer solutions to their ever-changing health-care needs, and would bring technologies only previously offered in larger cities to their rural community.

Prior to the hospital opening, Putnam County residents depended on the house calls of local physicians to treat their ailments. Minor operations could be performed in the doctor’s office, but if major surgery was required, the patient had to be transported to Indianapolis.

The money needed to build the hospital was raised through community fundraising events. During the week of Oct. 1, 1908, a fair was held in downtown Greencastle to raise money. Hospital bonds were also sold for the facility and many monetary donations were made by local residents and organizations.

In 1924, the hospital opened its doors to begin offering services for Putnam County residents. During the 55 years at the original location, the hospital served thousands of patients. It expanded and was moved for the original location on Shadowlawn Avenue to the current site at 1542 S. Bloomington St. in 1979.

With the addition of the new, updated facility, the hospital was even better equipped to serve the citizens of Putnam County. In 2001, the medical office building was constructed to offer room for the expansion of specialists, physical therapy and oncology. In 2005, the outpatient surgery center was expanded and updated to provide the latest in equipment and procedures. The oncology center also expanded and moved to the second floor to allow more treatment bays for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Today, over 100 years later, the Putnam County Hospital still serves the same mission and standards set by its founders: to provide exceptional health care to our friends and family in Putnam County by continuing to supply a number of outpatient and inpatient services as a Critical Access Hospital.

The Putnam County Hospital offers a 24-hour emergency department, intensive care unit, an acute care medical/surgical unit and three surgical suites. Observation, inpatient care and rehabilitation programs are offered within the units.

Many outpatient services are also available. Cancer treatments, rehabilitation services, an outpatient clinic with over 10 varied specialties, digital radiology, laboratory and respiratory services are located in-house to provide more options for patients in one stop.

The hospital employs nearly 300 individuals, including physicians.

The hospital’s board of trustees includes Board President David Bray, Vice President Janice Fry, Secretary Fred Mann, Dr. Keith Ernst, Dennis O’Hair, Dr. Robert Heavin and Matthew Headley.

The board holds its monthly public meeting at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the hospital board room.

The hospital also provides services for residents in portions of Clay, Owen and Parke counties, in addition to Putnam County.