History of Community Memorial Hospital

Community Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1952 after years of civic effort. For three decades the hospital met basic needs but by the 1980's, with a dwindling number of World War II era physicians and the nature of healthcare entering an era of drastic changes, it was clear Community Memorial would have to remake itself in order to survive. The hospital set a course to provide for the three main healthcare needs for the people living in several small Central New York communities: medical coverage, upgraded facilities and a modern management system.

The hospital worked with the Central New York Health Systems Agency to develop a larger and clinically diverse medical staff, to upgrade the physical plant, and to build a modern management system. To address the severe shortage of physicians, the hospital implemented a recruitment plan that took advantage of close working relationships with Colgate University, Mary Imogene Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, and emphasized the quality of life in the midst of several college towns.

Community Memorial Hospital also began to update the physical plant and expand.

• In 1985 a new operating suite and intensive care unit were added.
• In 1989 the first three family health centers were opened (today there are five).
• In 1993-94 the emergency room was expanded.
• In 1997-98 all the medical/surgical patient rooms were renovated.
• In 2000 the size of the operating suite was doubled and the Women's Center was created to house the obstetrics unit.
• Most recently, the ambulatory surgery unit was greatly expanded in 2004 to accommodate an unprecedented growth in the number of cases and a doubling of the surgical medical staff.
• With a state approved certificate of need, the hospital added an MRI unit in 2004.
• In 2006 the hospital was awarded the Gold Seal by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This is a nationwide seal of approval that indicates a hospital meets high performance standards.