History of the Hospital
1933
Dr. Ed Chitwood and Dr. Chimer Moore, Sr. started the Chitwood Memorial Clinic in the upstairs area of the building now occupied by Baldwin’s Store in Wytheville
1947
The Chitwood-Moore Hospital moved into a more modern facility on the second floor of the Leggett Building.
1952
Dr. Moore sold his interest in the hospital and the name of the facility was changed to Chitwood Memorial Clinic.
1965
The first Wythe County Community Hospital Board of Directors was appointed by the Wytheville-Wythe County Chamber of Commerce and the Articles of Incorporation were signed.
1966
WCCH officially became a non-stock, non-profit, charitable organization.
1967
The present hospital site was accepted under the leadership of Robert Eley Johnson, the first president, and the Wythe County Board of Supervisors authorized a bond referendum for $950,000.
1968
Vern E. Lentz was elected President of the Board of Directors.
1969
Construction began for a fifty-bed facility. Concurrently a Special Gifts Campaign was begun along with a $1,000,000 mortgage from the Wythe County Industrial Development Authority.
1970
Consideration of a fourth floor materialized, enlarging the hospital to a 100-bed unit
1971
James L. Sherwood was appointed Administrator.
May 13, 1972
WCCH held its dedication ceremony
July 18, 1972
The hospital opened its doors to the public offering a very “special” brand of personalized and quality health care for the citizens of Wythe and Bland counties
1978
A formal management agreement was signed between Wythe County Community Hospital and Roanoke Memorial Hospitals. John E. Cowhig was appointed the hospital administrator.
September 1978
Phase I of a $3.2 million expansion project was completed, adding space for the relocation of medical records, personnel offices, and the accounting department.
1979
Phase II of the expansion project was underway, adding a 6-bed intensive care unit, new delivery rooms, labor rooms, nursery, laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy, emergency department, business office, and an expanded radiology department.
August 1981
A dedication ceremony was held with Dr. Gaylord Williams speaking.
1984
Scott Adams was named Administrator.
1992
Howard Ainsley was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
1993
WCCH implemented home health services.
1994
WCCH establishes Fort Chiswell Medical Center.
1995
Wythe Bland Pediatrics was opened with one pediatrician.
1996
Lawrence H. Chewning III was named Chief Executive Officer and an $8.3 million master facility plan was completed, adding a new façade, renovating the second floor and converting the obstetric area into labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum rooms.
1998
Southwest Virginia Hospice was acquired by WCCH.
1999
The hospital underwent a partial asset sale whereby Carilion Health Systems purchased 40% of the hospital’s assets.
2000
The Women’s Outpatient Imaging Center opened on the campus of WCCH, and the hospital purchased 24.5 acres of land on the north side of the campus. The hospital also purchased the Pugh property on West Ridge Road and opened a hospitality house for traveling nurses, locum tenens, and new physicians. WCCH also entered a joint venture with the Town of Wytheville for a Wellness Center adjoining the campus of Wytheville Community College.
2001
Jerome (Jerry) Horn was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
2004
Carilion Health System and Wythe County Community Hospital terminated affiliation agreement. WCCH returned to being a 100% community hospital.
WCCH seeks affiliation with a large health care organization.
2005
WCCH signs an agreement with LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. John R. McLain is appointed CEO.
2007
Hospital announces emergency room expansion and renovation project.
John Berry is appointed interim CEO.
Eric Deaton is appointed Chief Executive Officer.
2009
Five million dollar emergency room expansion and renovation was completed.
2010
Timothy A. Bess is appointed Chief Executive Officer.