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In the 1920s, the Western North Carolina Methodist Conference was looking for a site for a hospital to serve Methodist ministers, their families, and others in the region. First came the promise of land and money from Mr. Hugh Chatham of Chatham Manufacturing Company. Then Rev. L. B. Abernathy, Dr. R. B. Harrell, and Mr. H. P. Graham, Sr. obtained permission from the bishop of the Western North Carolina Methodist Conference to place the hospital in Elkin.
Although Hugh Chatham died before the hospital was completed, the Chatham family, with the help of the Duke Endowment and many local citizens, made sure Mr. Chatham’s vision for high quality locally available healthcare became a reality. Although originally operated by the Methodist Conference, ownership of the hospital passed in 1967 to a not-for-profit corporation, which operates it on behalf of the community under the direction of a local board of community leaders. This board is dedicated to ensuring that Hugh Chatham’s vision continues to this day.
Advances in healthcare and increasing local demand prompted the hospital board to create a totally new facility on Parkwood Drive which opened in 1973. This was possible with the help and support of many local citizens like Fred Norman and R.T. Chatham and, of course, the Duke Endowment. Since then, numerous expansions and renovation projects have ensued to be sure that Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital continues to meet the region’s acute care needs. Today, HCMH encompasses a skilled nursing center; an Alzheimer’s Center; a retirement community; wellness and education programs, including wellness and therapeutic pools; radiation therapy for oncology; plus home health and hospice care.
Nestled in the western Piedmont wine country of North Carolina, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital has provided high quality medical care for residents over a distinguished 78-year history. As the region’s number one employer, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital employs more than 940, and serves as the home base for more than 70 physicians representing 26 specialties or subspecialties.
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital touches more lives each year than any other institution or organization in our region. Over the past few years, nearly 4,000 people have bee admitted each year, and this year we expect that number to exceed 4,800.
It is no surprise to anyone that last year over 23,000 people visited our Emergency Department, and this year that number is expected to reach 25,000. These numbers are staggering and Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital is stretching to keep pace with the demand for increased community-based healthcare services.
While these numbers may be impressive, more important is the vision which the governing board holds for regional healthcare.
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital’s goal is to be the best rural hospital in the nation. This vision guarantees you that you can always find the best care and the most up to date equipment and facilities at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. One measure of this might be a recent national patient satisfaction survey in which hospital patients gave the Outpatient Department a 99% excellent rating; the Emergency Department 94% and the OB/GYN services 98%. However, more important is what our patient and their families say about us.
The hospital’s board of trustees takes its responsibilities and its vision seriously. This board of local citizens has made the commitment to bring $50 million in new and improved healthcare to this region to implement this vision.
Take a moment and envision a locally based hospital with sixty-one new private rooms, a new enlarged Emergency Department, and a new operating room dedicated to Cesarean births. Now picture improved and updated facilities to serve citizens with heart problems or cancer. Add to this a new way to share patient information to ensure all information is readily available exactly when the doctor or nurse needs it. Each of our patients may not use the new digital imaging process that will be available or the enlarged and improved intensive care facilities, but those who will, will find the best that they could imagine. However, everyone will appreciate the availability and convenience of the new parking facilities.
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital exists because of the American traditions of philanthropy and sound business decisions. The generosity demonstrated by the leaders of this community in the establishment of the first hospital downtown and later in the creation of the current facilities is outstanding. However, this hospital could not exist without the support of the community at large.
When these projects are completed, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital will have added $50 million worth of new healthcare facilities to our community. Of this amount, the Board of Trustees decided that it was prudent to:
• Take 10% of this amount from the hospital’s reserves,
• Conduct a campaign for an additional 10%,
• Borrow the remaining 80%.
The hospital’s expansion that is being supported by the Sharing the Vision campaign is an extraordinary undertaking by the hospital. It will require extraordinary contributions to achieve success.
Please take the time to read the information included with this brochure. You will have the opportunity to discuss the Sharing the Vision campaign with one of our committee members. Consider carefully how you can help to further the nearly 78 year vision of healthcare for the Yadkin Valley . Perhaps you can make a multi-year pledge or transfer ownership of property or stocks or consider volunteering to be a part of the campaign process. The history of philanthropy and volunteerism is strong at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.
Both Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital and its Foundation are tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organizations. As such, all gifts to them are tax deductible to the full extent of current law. If you have concerns because of your personal tax circumstances, we suggest you consult your accountant for advice.
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