Compassion
Every community has a story. Ours begins with a nurse named Edith Lockwood. In 1918, recognizing the need for local healthcare, Edith opened her home to care for neighbors who had nowhere else to turn. Over the next five years, she and a small team cared for nearly 2,000 patients and welcomed more than 200 babies into the world. Her compassion inspired a community.
Built by Neighbors, for Neighbors
1918
In the years following World War I, community members came together to build a hospital as a memorial to veterans who had sacrificed for their country and as a promise to future generations that quality healthcare would always be close to home.
1923
When the cornerstone was laid in 1922, it held the names, stories, and hopes of an entire community. It carried the memory of those who served, the dedication of those who built it, and the belief that every neighbor deserved a place to receive care close to home. The cornerstone represented a promise...one built on compassion, sacrifice, and a shared commitment to the generations who would follow.
1976
From those early days forward, generations of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals dedicated their lives to caring for their neighbors. Through their compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment, they became part of the stories, milestones, and memories of the families they served.
A Celebration of 50 Years
In 1976, Jeff Roethe and a group of dedicated community members recognized that the future of local healthcare depended on a strong connection between the hospital and the people it served. Together, they created the Foundation to support vital equipment, building projects, and the continued growth of healthcare close to home.
For more than forty years, Jeff carried that vision forward through his leadership, generosity, and commitment to the hospital he loved.
He often reminded others of the unique bond between this community and its hospital: “Local people love their hospital.”
Today, we remember Jeff and all those who believed that a community built on compassion and commitment can shape the future of care for generations to come.