Providing Medical Quality from our Home to Yours

Port Huron Hospital History: Celebrating A Heritage of Excellence

More than 127 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, the 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. In addition to its main campus in Port Huron, the hospital operates community health centers in Marysville, Yale, Lexington and Capac. 

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. 
1950 The City gave the Emergency Hospital for treatment of contagious diseases to Port Huron Hospital. 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. 
1972 New east wing is built, bringing the total bed compliment to 250. Respiratory Care and Social Services are established. 
1973 Twelve-hour physician coverage in the Emergency Room is introduced 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 competed, adding a 12-bed ICU/CCU Unit, 19-bed Post Coronary Care Unit, Cardio-Pulmonary Inpatient Exercise Lab and a Conference Room. 
1980 Parking structure and power plant/maintenance construction completed. 
1984 Construction and renovations completed on Emergency Center, Rehabilitation Services, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Cardiopulmonary Services. 
1987 Videotaping of the first Port Huron Hospital Today's Health 30 minute, weekly television program.
1988 Port Huron Hospital Foundation, 55 Plus and Women's Health Programs established. 
1993 Open Heart Surgery & Angioplasty offered through new "Partners at Heart" agreement with Mercy Hospital. 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. 
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 internet website.
1998 Lexington and Marysville Community Health Centers open. PHH Outpatient Center opens.  Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place completed. Construction begins on Yale Community  Health Center. Pediatric 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. Oncology Unit opens. 
2002 Emergency Center redesign approved and construction started. 
2003 Emergency Center Addition opens and renovations begin. Lap Band Center of Michigan opens. Joint Connections program started.
2004 Wound Healing Center opens. Emergency Center completed. 
2005 Emergency Center Redesign adds additional efficiency, capacity and privacy. 

System Partners

Partnerships

  • Tri Hospital EMS
  • Tri Hospital MRI
  • Partners at Heart
 
 
 
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Port Huron Hospital • 1221 Pine Grove Avenue • Port Huron, Michigan 48060 • 810.987.5000
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