22 Dec 2016 50th anniversary: Unity Health celebrates rich history

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Unity Health has a rich history worth knowing. The hospital has changed through various phases and services and has kept its home in Searcy since 1967.

Here are 50 things you may not know about the history of Searcy’s hometown healthcare:  

1. Searcy became a haven for health because of Sulpher Springs, believed to have healing properties.
2. The first physician in Searcy is believed to be Dr. James C. Holland from Henderson County, Tenn., in 1853. 
3. House calls were made in the 1940s for $3. 
4. In the 1950s, a hospital room was $5-$6, and private rooms were $10. 
5. The first hospital to open in Searcy was the Wakenight Sanitarium in 1920. 
6. Another hospital joined the city of Searcy in the 1930s as Harrison Hospital. 
7. Dr. Porter Rodgers purchased the Wakenight Sanitarium, and the name was changed to Porter Rodgers Hospital. 
8. A new hospital for the county was proposed in 1961, and plans were officially under way in 1964. 
9. Why was Searcy chosen as home for the hospital? A good water supply and good sewage systems were two main reasons. 
10. Don Crow, an Auxilian who volunteers today in Admissions four times a week, was a member of the Jaycees when the hospital was first being built.
11. Approximately 5,000 visitors viewed the hospital during its open house on Jan. 8, 1967.  
12. Named White County Memorial Hospital, the facility received its first patients on Jan. 16, 1967. 
13. Unity Health Associate Brenda Maddox checked in the first patient and still works at Unity Health today.
14. In its formative years, the Auxiliary consisted of 65 members. Today there are nearly 200. 
15. When the hospital experienced more than 100 percent occupancy, patients were placed in hallways. 
16. Before expansions began on the hospital, a bomb shelter was located behind the original facility. 
17. In 1972, the 50-bed facility increased to 124. 
18. A critical care unit and emergency room were added in 1983. 
19. The first IBM computer at the hospital was given the name “Clyde.” 
20. In 1989, White County Memorial Hospital became the first hospital in Arkansas to offer labor, delivery and recovery in one setting. 
21. The first family to deliver their baby in the New Life Center received a dozen red roses, steak dinner and a violin serenade. 
22. Current President and CEO of Unity Health Ray Montgomery became administrator in 1992. 
23. In 1995, the hospital became a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation. 
24. The hospital Foundation was formed in 1997 as a charitable organization to provide support for the hospital. 
25. The first ambulatory care facility in the area was completed in 1998. 
26. From 1967 to 2000, the hospital went through seven renovations and expansions. 
27. Former First Lady of Arkansas Ginger Beebe served as president of the hospital Auxiliary in 1994-95 and 2000-02. 
28. In 2004, Tower 1 was added to the hospital, and a new, larger gift shop was well-received. The Auxiliary has made significant donations to the Unity Health Foundation due to the increase in gift shop sales.  
29. Before the addition, annual sales were $30,000-$36,000. Once the expansion took place, associate and community support helped sales to surpass $500,000 per year.
30. In 2005, Searcy became the smallest community in Arkansas with two hospitals.   
31. Also in 2005, the hospital acquired Central Arkansas Hospital, known today as the Unity Health Specialty Care campus at 1200 S. Main St. in Searcy. 
32. The same year, the hospital’s medical staff consisted of more than 150 physicians representing a wide variety of specialties. 
33. In 2011 the Cancer Center of Excellence was completed through a White County Medical Foundation capital campaign supported by donors.  
34. The daVinci Robotics-Assisted Surgical System was purchased in 2011.
35. The hospital received the Arkansas Governor’s Quality Award for the second time and was the only hospital in Arkansas to ever achieve this.
36. In 2013, the Orthopaedic and Spine Center was created as a comprehensive center to better care for patients from diagnosis to surgery and therapy. 
37. In 2014, 11 Auxilians joined Ray Montgomery, president/CEO, on a bus ride to the Capitol to advocate for healthcare. 
38. As of Feb. 15, 2015, Unity Health purchased Harris Hospital in Newport (Jackson County) and its affiliated clinics. 
39. In December 2014, White County Medical Center announced a name change of its organization to Unity Health to encompass the growth and expansion the hospital had undergone.  
40. A new logo accompanied the new name and serves as an artistic representation of a medical cross. Each “link” stands for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. 
41. The colors of the Unity Health logo are navy, crimson, steel blue and turquoise. 
42. The first thing to greet visitors in the hospital’s main lobby is “Soaring Spirits” by Clowes Sculpture, an art piece complete with 306 birds in flight, made of stainless steel rods and painted aluminum. 
43. The Graduate Medical Education program (GME) was launched in 2015, and Physician Residents of Osteopathic Medicine can complete their medical education at Unity Health in psychiatry, family medicine, internal medicine and emergency medicine.
44. In 2016, Unity Health became the first Mayo Clinic Care Network member in Arkansas. The collaboration provides the hospital with the ability to share medical knowledge in ways that enhance patient care.
45. Vice President of Patient Services LaDonna Johnston began her career at the hospital as a candy striper at a young age. 
46. “A Day of Caring,” Unity Health’s largest medical mission, has been held since 1996 to serve thousands of uninsured and underinsured citizens of White County. 
47. Freda Volmer was the first associate hired at the hospital. She later retired, returned and continues to work in Human Resources. 
48. Unity Health has clinics in White, Van Buren, Cleburne and Jackson counties.  
49. Vic Snyder, former U.S. Representative for the Arkansas Second Congressional District, was a physician in the emergency department before entering office. 
50. Before becoming mayor of Searcy, David Morris worked at the hospital and continues to support the hospital’s efforts today.

Learn more about Unity Health at unity-health.org.