McLaren Port Huron History: Celebrating A Heritage of Excellence
More than 135 years ago, the people of Port Huron had a vision . . . the vision of providing the finest healthcare available to meet the needs of a growing community of 8,000 residents. Building on its proud beginnings as Port Huron Hospital and Home, the McLaren Port Huron hospital of today is a modern 186-bed medical complex that offers a wide range of clinical, diagnostic, rehabilitative, therapeutic, supportive and educational services to the residents of St. Clair and Sanilac Counties.
1879
A group of concerned citizens form plans to establish "Port Huron Hospital and Home."
1882
The first hospital is built in White Park to accommodate 15 patients.
1900
Port Huron Hospital and Home installs electricity, replacing gas lights.
1904
The cornerstone for the new hospital was laid during an impressive ceremony
1905
New 32-bed hospital located on Richardson Street opens on June 8.
The original hospital on White Street was sold for $325.
Private room beds in the new hospital were $12-15 per week and ward beds were $7 per week.
For the first time, a baby was born in Port Huron Hospital.
1906
The Hospital Aid Society was organized. Its first project was to improve the hospital grounds.
The first Hospital Fiesta was held. It netted $150.
1907
More than 5,000 attended the Second Annual Hospital Fiesta
1912
The mortgage for the hospital was burned in a public ceremony on the hospital grounds.
1918
Port Huron Hospital resources were severely strained but nurses handled the Spanish Flu epidemic well. The epidemic was the worst natural disaster of the 20th century.
The Hospital is enlarged by 18 beds. Additional property is purchased.
1919
The name of the Hospital is changed from "Port Huron Hospital and Home" to "Port Huron Hospital".
1920
Port Huron Hospital joins the Michigan Hospital Association.
1922
Hospital acquires its first x-ray equipment.
1925
The first laboratory is installed in the hospital.
1930
The Board of Directors approved a fundraising plan for an expansion of the hospital.
1932
The cornerstone for the new building expansion on Willow Street is laid on January 15.
1937
New 105-bed hospital opens in February.
1949
The City gave the Emergency Hospital for treatment of contagious diseases to Port Huron Hospital, what is known as the Jenks Unit. The Hospital adds Physical Therapy and Laundry departments and hires its first full-time Radiologist.
1953
A new 56-bed addition is added north of the main building.
1967
The School of Radiologic Technology is established at Port Huron Hospital.
1972
New east wing is built, bringing the total bed compliment to 250. Respiratory Care and Social Services are established.
1973
Physician coverage in the Emergency room goes to twelve-hours and Alcohol Therapy Services are established.
1975
An eight-bed Special Care (high-risk) Nursery is added. Pediatrics Unit converted from 44 beds to 22 beds and 14 medical-surgical beds added
1978
Construction on sixth-floor completed, adding a 12-bed ICU/CCU Unit, 19-bed Post Coronary Care Unit, cardiopulmonary Inpatient Exercise Lab and a Conference Room.
1980 - 1982
Parking structure and power plant/maintenance construction completed.
Hospital celebrates 100 year anniversary and establishes a new parent company, Blue Water Health Services.
1984
Construction and renovations completed on Emergency Center, Rehabilitation Services, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Cardiopulmonary Services in the new east addition.
1986
Production and videotaping of the first Port Huron Hospital Today's Health 30 minute, weekly television program begins.
1988
The Women's and Children's Community Advisory Board is established.
Port Huron Hospital Foundation, 55 Plus and Women's Health Programs are established.
1993
Open Heart Surgery and Angioplasty now offered. Orthopedic Sport and Spine outreach opened at Birchwood Athletic Club. Pre-Admission Testing Services consolidated to the 1st floor. Redesign of Emergency Center Entrance completed.
1994
Federal Trade Commission blocks merger with Mercy Hospital.
1995
Women's Wellness Place opens, providing a wide range of clinical and educational services or women in a single, convenient location. East parking lot renovations completed adding 86 spaces. Major replacement of hospital-wide heating, ventilation and air-conditioning was completed to revitalize core facilities.
1996
Port Huron Hospital assists with the conversion from Yale Community Hospital to Yale Community Health Center.
1997
Birthing Service redesign begins. Phase I of Care Manager Information System goes live. Take Care-a-Van is introduced.
1997
Port Huron Hospital introduces its first website on the world wide web.
1998
Port Huron Hospital receives the Michigan Quality Leadership Award. Lexington and Marysville Community Health Centers open. Port Huron Hospital Outpatient Center opens. Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place completed. Construction begins on Yale Community Health Center. Pediatric unit renovation completed.
1999
Yale Community Health Center opens. Construction begins on Capac Community Health Center
2000
Capac Community Health Center opens. Construction begins on John F. Wismer Health Center
2001
John F. Wismer Health Center opens with services including Women's Wellness, Lab, X-Ray, Outpatient Surgery, Diabetes Education, Outpatient Procedures, Lang Health Library and Duffy Wellness Classrooms.
2001
25th Anniversary of Special Care Nursery is celebrated.
2001
A dedicated Inpatient Cancer unit is opened.
2002
Emergency Center redesign approved and construction started.
2002
A bariatric surgery program is started and the LAP-BAND® Center of Michigan is established at Port Huron Hospital
2003
Emergency Center Addition opens and renovations of older Emergency Center area begins. Lap Band Center of Michigan opens. Joint Connections program started.
2003
Port Huron Hospital opens a Pain Management Center.
2004
Wound Healing Center opens. Emergency Center construction completed.
2005
Emergency Center Redesign adds additional efficiency, capacity and privacy.
2006
The 100 year anniversary of the Port Huron Hospital Auxiliary is celebrated
2006
A dedicated electrophysiology lab is opened.
2006
Port Huron Hospital adds a new 64-slice CT scanner.
2006
Port Huron Hospital named a Solucient Top 100 Hospital in the U.S.
2006
Center for Sleep Medicine moves to Fort Gratiot location.
2007
Port Huron Hospital celebrates our 125th Anniversary. Many gathered for an employee photo to commemorate the event.
2007
Port Huron Hospital completes construction and remodeling for the area that will permanently house a new Philips 3 Tesla MRI.
2008
Groundbreaking for Medical Office Building located on the north east section of the hospital's campus.
2008
Emergency Center is expanded for additional treatment rooms
2009
Medical Office Building opens.
2010
Jefferson Adult Learning Center purchased from Port Huron Area School District and renovations begin
2010
Dedication and opening of a State-of-the-Art Cardiac Electrophysiology lab
2011
Jefferson Building is renovated and opens as the new location of Port Huron Hospital;s 55 Plus
2012
Port Huron Hospital expands bariatric surgery services to perform additional laparoscopic bariatric procedures as the Bariatric Center of Michigan.
2012
Port Huron Hospital begins da Vinci Robotic Surgery Services
2012
Port Huron Hospital MRI services are established
2012
The Port Huron Hospital School of Radiologic Technology is closed following a successful transfer of the accreditation and program to St. Clair County Community College.
2014
Port Huron Hospital becomes McLaren Port Huron, the 12th hospital in the not-for-profit McLaren Health Care system.
2015
McLaren Port Huron initiates $162 million dollar expansion project including a Karmanos Cancer Institute and patient tower.
2016
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Port Huron opens in July providing advanced cancer treatment options.
2018
McLaren Port Huron opens new South Patient Tower in October, featuring new emergency room, ICU, OR, Cardiac Step-Down, Selective Care and Medical Surgical Units. A new laboratory and central sterile services are also featured. Construction continues with the renovation of the existing North Patient Tower.