A Hospital with History...

Methodist Hospitals has a solid foundation in the community. Since its beginning in 1910 Methodist Hospitals has been dedicated to serving the public.
Take a look at where we have been.

1910-1922

1910
Miss Margaret Pritchard, a registered nurse who served in South Africa's Boer War, comes to Gary from Chicago to establish a hospital in the emerging "Steel City," Gary, Indiana.

1911
20 local physicians donate $100 each to equip the hospital and keep it operating. Nurse undergraduates begin training in the newly organized school to assure efficient care, as Gary General Hospital opens in October in a 3-story frame structure at 801 Van Buren Street.

1912
Four nurses graduate in June from the first class of the nurse training school.

1914
Gary's population growth surges; the need for additional medical services and more space for equipment fosters a relocation of the hospital to 429 Adams Street.

1916
By December, Margaret Pritchard, owner, initiates steps to assure Gary General would remain on a more permanent basis. To provide for its future growth, a new building fund would need to be established. A board of directors was created and 60 members of the community attend a banquet at the YMCA, voting to support the decision to apply for State of Indiana Articles of Association.

1917
Pritchard signs papers transferring ownership of the hospital to a reorganized Board of Governors on February 24, and immediately incorporates the Articles of Association. Captain H.S. Norton asks the Gary Land Company to donate the property deemed suitable as a site on the west side of Grant Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, valued at $25,000. Additional, adjacent properties would be donated once the building was erected.

1918
Efforts begin to affiliate with local religious and fraternal institutions to secure funding to build a new hospital. Finally, The Methodist Board of Hospitals of Indiana propose a contract to provide a new, fully-equipped hospital at a cost of $250,000 providing terms could be met.

Major Hodges writes to local steel executives obtaining permission to campaign inside the industrial plants to assist local fundraising. $100,000 would need to be provided within six months, under the terms of the contract.

The site would become the jurisdiction of the Methodist Hospital Board. Future building, based on need, would be accommodated by the Methodist Episcopal Hospital and Deaconess Home of the State of Indiana in Indianapolis.

A local advisory board would be established to work under, and in cooperation with, the Methodist Board.

1919
World War I affects fund raising efforts adversely; campaign begins again. Contract agreements are initiated in April, completed by August, and the official groundbreaking to build a new 82-bed hospital at 6th and Grant Street occurs in October.

1922
The hospital Auxiliary organizes to assist fundraising efforts, delayed by World War I.

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1923-1940

1923
The new hospital opens on May 12; the dedication by Bishop Frederick D. Leet of the Methodist Episcopal Hospital and Deaconess Home of Gary occurs on May 27. The new I-shaped structure provides 86 beds with a capacity for 100.

The first patient is admitted on June 11. 2,087 patients are admitted in the first year, 299 babies are born, and 1,115 operations are performed.

The Methodist Hospital School of Nursing opens; on June 19, eight students enroll in the first class. Nurses are housed in patient rooms.

Rella Muir, R.N., becomes the first superintendent succeeded by Katherine Merty, R.N., in October.

1924
Bernice Wallace, R.N., follows as superintendent in April, until June 1927.

1926-27
The first major construction project of the hospital, a Nurses Home, begins in the fall and is complete in August. There is increased bed capacity for patients in the hospital as nurses move to new quarters.

1934-39
School of Nursing closes due to financial problems and reopens in 1939.

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1941-1980

1941
Rev. James Lawson, Superintendent, and Board request independence from the Methodist Hospital Board in Indianapolis, which is accepted April 16.

1942
Final arrangements are complete for the separation. The hospital becomes known as The Methodist Hospital of Gary, Inc.

1943
The hospital's second major building project is completed with the three-story Grant Street or East Wing, adding 123 beds for total capacity of 203. Maternity and Labor and Delivery expand; 29 bassinets now available.

1945
Administrator J. Milo Anderson begins extensive remodeling program. X-ray, Business Offices, Medical Library expand. Central oxygen system installed to provide oxygen to patient rooms, nurseries, operating rooms.

1946
Gary physician, Benjamin F. Grant is the first African-American to join Medical Staff.

1947
Methodist opens the first Physical Therapy Department in Lake County. The sweeping polio epidemic of the late '40s and early '50s prompts Methodist to be the only local hospital to knowingly accept polio patients. Many respirators are in use during the height of the epidemic.

1950
Rev. Eugene R. Balsley becomes the hospital's first Chaplain, beginning a tradition of serving hospital employees, community religious leaders, as well as patients.

1951
The third major construction project begins under the direction of Administrator George Wren. A fourth floor is added to the East Wing and the hospital will have an L-shaped configuration offering 244 beds when construction is complete in 1954. A Pediatrics Department, new warehouse, Chaplain's home, Interns' quarters, morgue, and animal room are added.

Nursing educational program is revitalized as university classes are added to address the nursing shortage.

The first hospital Psychiatric Unit in Lake County opens at Methodist.

1952
Rev. Clyde H. Lininger becomes Chaplain, encourages creation of the Chapel. Hugh Brabazon, maintenance supervisor, begins design and building using government surplus brass and bronze. It is completed in two years.

Irachelle Pulliam enrolls as first African-American student in School of Nursing.

1953
Curtis Benson, Gordon Rowan and Fred Segura are the first male students to enroll in School of Nursing as it becomes one of only a few U.S. co-ed nursing schools.

1954
For the first time in the hospital's history a mortgage is not held against the hospital.

1956
Methodist requests Indiana State Board of Health to survey needs of Lake County. Survey is presented to Chambers of Commerce and Mayors of all cities in 1957 resulting in the creation of a planning group in 1961.

1957
The fourth major construction project begins during the administration of Everett A. Johnson with a 127-bed addition, the West Wing, along Hayes Street, which would create a U-shaped configuration. The five-story wing and basement provided expansion for Physical Therapy, Emergency Room, X-ray, Laboratory, a new Rehabilitation Center, new outpatient facilities, a remodeled Obstetrics Department and Premature Nursery. Bed capacity rises to 350, as construction is completed in 1959.

1960
Efforts to recruit/train nurses accelerate with new relationships with local universities.

1961
Lake County Hospital Development Association (LCHDA) develops; Methodist accepts recommended sponsorship to establish new hospital in Crown Point-Merrillville area. Estimated cost of $2,990,000 requires Hill-Burton federal funding.

1962
Andrew Means, Gary contractor and developer, is the first African-American to serve on the Board of Directors.

1965
Site for Broadway Methodist selected and purchased; 111 acres at 87th and Broadway. Construction would start with availability of Hill-Burton funds approved by LCHDA.

1966
Gary Mercy and Methodist Hospitals begin plans for a joint hospital fund drive to build hospitals in South Lake County since Hill-Burton funds are not available.

City of Gary and U.S. Steel object to South County development prior to expansion of downtown hospitals. Methodist commits to major expansion in Gary as soon as construction begins for Broadway hospital.

1967
The Methodist Hospital School of Nursing graduates its last class in June - over 700 registered nurses have been trained since the 1923 opening.

Gary Hospitals Fund Drive begins; $100,000,000 Hill-Burton federal funds to be made available for Gary Methodist. State Board of Health divides Lake County into two planning areas; application for Hill-Burton to support Broadway hospital again submitted.

1968
Federal government designates regional authority to Lake County Comprehensive Health Planning Council to start the planning of health facilities.

Psychiatric day care program, Coronary Care Unit instituted as newest hospital services.

Physician shortage in Gary noted as concern.

1969
Satellite hospital plan is submitted for 150-bed facility; organizational structure to be responsive to needs of South County residents, avoid duplication of services of Gary hospital, maintain close relationship to Gary Methodist service departments, and ultimately provide 450 beds with a gradual development of comprehensive services.

Gary, as similarly experienced by other U.S. cities, begins to cope with urban issues of safety, deterioration, adequacy in services and facilities.

Methodist begins to address job opportunities/training in cooperation with local and federally sponsored programs.

1970
Changes in Board and Medical Staff by-laws, administrative reorganization begun in 1965, are completed to make hospital effective in dealing with the demands of the forthcoming decade.

Application made to AMA to allow the internship program at Methodist to join Lake County Cooperative Internship, thus collaborating with other local hospitals.

1971
Federal Housing Administration in Indiana commits $12,900,000 for Broadway Methodist although it is replaced through other funding later.

South Pavilion construction is completed and includes 116 beds and a Rehabilitation Center, the first in Indiana. Psychiatric Unit also remodeled to provide new concept in treatment, home-like environment, dedicated December 17.

Obstetrical Clinic opens to provide access to prenatal care.

Federal regulatory reimbursement policies begin to lower Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement.

Loan Guarantee and Interest Subsidy approves $14,336,193, replacing original grant from Indiana FHA, for construction of Broadway Methodist.

1972
Construction begins on Broadway Methodist.

Regulatory constraints continue with capital purchases; complex regulatory related reimbursement issues escalate. Issue of adequate number of physicians in Gary also continues to escalate.

1973
Emergency Medical response training program for the Gary Fire Department (ambulance service providers) initiated to provide qualified Emergency Medical Technicians.

1974
Federal Economic Stabilization Program ends and financial strictures are loosened.

Hospital makes plans to establish a Family Practice Residency; goal is to offset loss of primary care physicians in downtown Gary.

Rehabilitation Center of Gary achieves 3-year accreditation from CARF and becomes the first accredited comprehensive Rehabilitation Center in Indiana due to its range of services.

Nationally, consumer health awareness becomes an issue; additional standards of care and increasing regulation affect hospitals.

1975
Broadway Methodist opens on December 13 with 99 available beds; Dedication is held on December 29.

Nuclear Medicine Department opens.

First Emergency Paramedic Class Training Northwest Indiana graduates in June.

1976
Gary citizens file a class action suit against Methodist, stopping all expansion and building projects.

Governor Bowen designates Methodist as Regional Coordinating Center for seven-county emergency medical training district; Gary physician, Dr. David E. Ross, named Medical Director.

1977
Family Practice Residency Program begins; Dr. David Ross appointed director.

1978
Settlement agreement on Class Action Suit reached July 28; terms to be described in a Consent Decree.

Representation by Local 1199 begins for 600 Service and Maintenance employees.

1979
Class action hearing on July 17 approves the Consent Decree. Funding for building programs becomes available immediately.

$19 million allocated for Gary Methodist; November 14 construction begins on Family Practice Building and new Medical Services Addition to South Pavilion enhancing Emergency, Coronary Care and ICU, Surgery, Central Supply and Laundry, expansion of Lab and Radiology, purchase of CT Scanner.

Broadway Methodist construction resumes on November 21 to add 106 beds, classrooms, Nuclear Medicine, and Cancer Services.

Methodist works through County Commissioner to set up Hospital Authority of Lake County; Broadway Methodist mortgage is refinanced on a tax-exempt basis to save $2,200,000 over 20 years.

Cardiac Rehab Program is introduced as a new service.

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1981-1998

1981
Board reorganizes from 36 to 24 members; John H. Betjemann begins as new administrator in June.

H. Theodore Tatum Family Health Care Center is dedicated July 23. It is designed to house the Family Practice Residency Program and serve as a hub for an outreach system; four community health sites established in Gary communities.

105-bed expansion at Southlake Campus begins to provide Critical Care/Medical Services.

The Hospital establishes itself as a single entity, The Methodist Hospitals, with the Northlake Campus in Gary and the Southlake Campus in Merrillville.

First three residents graduate from Residency Program and establish practice. Plans are made to coordinate psychiatric/mental healthcare services in Gary and in Merrillville.

Cancer and Coronary Care programs begin, Neuroscience services initiated. Innovative nurse recruitment program with Indiana University Northwest provides increased clinical rotations at Methodist.

Quality Assurance System is an intensive focus as regulatory agencies create more standards. Medical Services Building Addition at Northlake is completed. Alcohol Institute and Health Institute plans are developed for implementation at Southlake. Medical Records completes changes in coding systems in preparation for Medicare's new DRG (Diagnosis Related Group) reimbursement system.

1982
Health Institute opens to provide Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs, wellness.

Howard University and Meharry College student recruits increase enrollment of African-American physicians to Family Practice Residency Program.

Economic and financial changes are seriously affecting hospital operations nationwide and locally:

• TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) — reduces Medicare payments.

• Economy — downturn, especially for steel industry, Northwest Indiana's major source of employment.

• Indigent Care — tighter eligibility requirements for health benefits resulted in more uncompensated care, especially in Emergency.

• Consumerism — increased awareness of value for dollar and level of quality issues continue to be of concern to employers.

1983
Northwest Indiana hospitals begin to feel ramifications of more beds than necessary. Laser surgery, outpatient alcoholism treatment services begin at Southlake. Hospital Information System plans begin; automation/computerization goals are set. Northlake Specialty Health Centers provide physician offices for outpatient services for Pediatric Cardiology, Arthritis, Ophthalmology.

1984
Legislative efforts/relationship with regional steel companies ensue to ask the state to evaluate funding for medically indigent. Medicare DRG system begins. Introduction of HMO's (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPO's (Preferred Provider Organizations) as a new system of health care delivery and reimbursement, begins. Quality Review processes become increasingly rigorous as standards continue to increase and more staff, physicians, and a Board Committee become involved. Kidney dialysis, first all-in-one Birthing Suite, 10-bed Adolescent psychiatric unit open at Northlake. Open Heart Services begin at Southlake. Trauma Program for Emergency Services initiated; liaison, teamwork with emergency responders in the field becomes vital.

1985
Open Heart Services, Neuroscience Unit introduced at Northlake.

1986
Coronary angioplasty is newest medical procedure provided; Alcoholism outreach program for Valparaiso/East Chicago/Lowell instituted; Gerontology "Family Ties" Program for caregivers implemented. Implementation of Physician Practice Development program to provide access to physicians in key locations.

1987
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services provided adjacent to Southlake. Sleep Disorders Center, Fertility Services, Respite Care, introduced as new services.

1988
Neonatal Intensive Care Services, Outpatient Psych, Lithotripsy, Spine Rehabilitation Program, and Neuroscience Institute established.

1991
East Wing addition construction begins at Northlake; 5th floor added and Private Room Program is underway; Nursery expansion begins. Radiology and Emergency Services expand into new addition at Southlake.

1992
MRI Services available in new center at Northlake. Clinical Information system completed; the new "LUCY" computer system allows physicians, nurses access to orders, test results. Smoke-free hospital policy implemented. USX on-site services for Employee Assistance Program and medical services begin.

1993
New mission statement adopted by Board adds a focus on maximizing health status of the communities; hospitals are now more than acute care facilities. Healthy Start, federally funded prenatal and infant wellness program to reduce infant mortality initiated. Methodist is service provider for Gary; opens at 37th and Grant. The trend toward cost reduction, managed care, and emphasis on wellness, education, and continuing care reaches Northwest Indiana.

1994
Northlake Radiology Expansion and Lab Expansion at Southlake is completed. "Health Ranger", mobile van purchased for Gary Health Department screening and immunization outreach program. Children's Developmental Center services initiated to coordinate program of diagnosis/intervention and care.

1995
Increased Northlake admissions with close of Northwest Family Hospital (formerly St. Mary Medical Center); Methodist becomes only Gary hospital.

Rehab Centers, a holistic approach for continuing care/outpatient services, opens in January in new facility adjacent to Southlake and in April within remodeled quarters at Northlake; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Wellness Center added as newest service. Northwest Indiana Occupational Medicine Services (NIOMS) is a joint venture with Porter Memorial improving access for Lake/Porter businesses and employees through 13 locations. Electrophysiology (EP) Lab and specialists introduced as newest high-tech cardiac diagnostic procedure. Community Health Assessment, mandated by Indiana State Department of Health survey in cooperation with Lake County hospitals reveals health risks, status of Gary/Merrillville and area residents. Healthy Start II opens; 5th and Van Buren. Primary Care Associates opens in July; Methodist manages Rush-Anchor HMO in Merrillville.

1996
Progressive Care Unit provides 26 transitional care beds at Southlake in April. Methodist contractual agreement provides on-board paramedic services for Lake Michigan casino boats in Gary. Turning Point Center opens in June providing outpatient addiction services in cooperation with other Gary mental health services.

1997
Primary Care Associates continues HMO management, adds physicians, and relocates to newly constructed facility on Southlake Campus in January; Primary Care Associates opens Griffith office in March. Wound Treatment added as newest Rehab Center service. Center for Behavioral Medicine opens in October; newly constructed wing at Northlake consolidates inpatient adult psychiatric and Child/Adolescent Program and provides outpatient continuum in one location. X-Ray Xpress mobile van provides radiologic services to skilled care and other health agencies; Lab introduces Mayo Medical Laboratory services as new service; Osteoporosis Imaging Center opens. Labor/Delivery and Nursery expansions at both campuses. Inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation initiated as a first in Northwest Indiana. Parish Nurse Program introduced as newest outreach for community health.

1998
Hospital commemorates 75 years of service to the community 1923 - 1998 with a Diamond Jubilee Celebration; Rededication to Community Service occurs on May 17.

Cardiac Imaging Center construction to consolidate diagnostic services begins at Southlake, to be complete in 1998.

Progressive Care Unit construction begins at Northlake; 15 beds added to Southlake.

Radiology expansion completes with new Mammography and Ultrasound service areas at Northlake.

Emergency/Occupational Health Services expansion in a new addition at Northlake are under construction, for completion in 1999 along with new Front Entrance and Lobby and Outpatient Service area.

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