Ten Decades. One Hundred Incredible Years

On March 29, 1909 “Elkhart General Hospital” officially became incorporated. At that time, “Elkhart General” was only an idea; it did not yet exist as a hospital. In fact, the only local hospital of substantial note was Clark Homeopathic Hospital, a brick structure that still stands at 126 North Clark St., off Jackson St. near downtown Elkhart.

Throughout 2009 we will be celebrating the rich history of Elkhart General and the many people and events that comprise our heritage. We hope you will join us by reading these stories about our long tradition of service to this region.

Gregory W. Lintjer, President

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1909

Elkhart gets a new hospital, thanks in part to a $10,000 donation from Dr. Franklin Miles. One stipulation: at least $30,000 additional funds must be raised from other sources. Contributions included proceeds from the sale of a donated automobile. Final facility cost: $80,000.

1919

Elkhart General Hospital Training School for Nurses, housed in a dormitory adjacent to the Hospital, graduated its first class. According to one graduate, “We learned that a nurse must be as strong as a horse, work like a slave, and act like a lady.”

1942

A major modernization inspired this report from The Elkhart Truth: “The cheerful color tones drew much approval, as did the scientific appointments of basement rooms and such installations as the automatic heat controls and rubberized floors.”

1953

Average daily census was 98.8 patients, with an average length of stay of 5.5 days. 3,170 operations were performed – twice the national average for a 100-bed hospital; 1,655 babies were born, also twice the national average. A semi-private room “rented” for $11.50 per day.

1965

The Hospital’s four-story addition opened, bringing capacity to 310 beds. According to the open-house brochure, “It is hoped that this will eliminate the need for placing patients in the hallways.” Ten beds were for the intensive care unit, “a relatively new idea in patient care.”

1980

Computerized Tomography (CT) – “the most significant advancement in the field of radiology since the discovery of the X-ray” – was installed, dramatically enhancing the Hospital’s ability to care for cancer patients. One year later, the first Mammogram was performed at Elkhart General.

1981

By this date, volunteers had become a vital part of Elkhart General. Groups included the Hospital Auxiliary, Junior Auxiliary (Candy Stripers), Red Coats, and Kappa Kappa Kappa.

1997

The first open-heart surgery was performed at Elkhart General. By year’s end, more than 200 patients had undergone open-heart procedures. Three years later, the Regional Heart and Critical Care Center opened, paving the way for the Elkhart General open-heart program to become the busiest in Michiana.

• Henry Konecny Pioneered the Science of Radiology at Elkhart General
  Henry Konecny launched the Radiology Department at Elkhart General in 1942, but his love for the science started much earlier.
• The Debut of Emergency Medicine
  The Vision of Dr. Forest Kendall Brings Emergency Medicine to the Elkhart Community.
• Emergency Medical Services Then & Now
  Today advanced emergency medical treatment is literally only a phone call – and minutes – away. And when it arrives, you can count on getting state-of-the-art emergency treatment thanks to the training that Elkhart area Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics receive through Elkhart General’s Emergency Medical Service Training Program.