McCune Brooks Regional Hospital: History.

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Our History

McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital
In late 1892, a branch of a nationwide charitable organization known as Faithful Circle of King's Daughters was organized for the purpose of raising funds for the construction of a Carthage community hospital. During this organization period, Dr. Robert F Brooks established a trust that, following the death of himself and his sisters, all his property would be converted to construction and maintenance of a hospital for Carthage. During this period of time, a non-profit corporation was formed, known as the Carthage Hospital Association. In 1903, an anonymous gift was made to the Association in the amount of $10,000, which was to specifically be used for the construction of a hospital. Later it was learned that Lizzie A McCune left those funds as a memorial to her son, Dr. T.E. McCune, who was an associate of Dr. Brooks. Mrs. McCune, acting as a major impetus for the Carthage Hospital Association contracted for a hospital facility to be constructed near the corner of Centennial and Forest. The first patient was admitted to the Carthage Hospital on May 1, 1907.

By the early 1920's, the Carthage community's need exceeded the Carthage Hospital's 14-bed capacity and a campaign was launched to finance a larger, more modern structure. In 1924, John C. Guinn made a $75,000 contribution for the purpose of erecting a new fireproof hospital at a cost of no less than $150,000 on the present hospital grounds in the City of Carthage. An additional $75,000 was matched by the Carthage community following a bond election, and the City Council of Carthage, by ordinance, named the future hospital the McCune-Brooks Hospital after Dr. Brooks and Dr. McCune. The first patient was admitted to the new McCune-Brooks Hospital on November 4, 1929.

By the late 1940's, the hospital had once again exceeded available space and in 1955, a 27-bed wing was opened and was named the Fanny Peterson memorial wing after Miss Fanny M Peterson, R.N., who served as hospital superintendent at McCune-Brooks Hospital from its inception until 1947.

In 1963, McCune-Brooks Hospital admitted the 100,000th patient. During the early 1960's, the need for hospital facilities had exceeded the institution's capacity. A project for a 52-bed, two stories was added and completed in 1964. In the late 1960's and the early 1970's, it was apparent the McCune-Brooks Hospital needed rather extensive modernization, and a bond issue was passed in 1972 for the purpose of renovating and modernizing the present facility.
The construction program was completed on February 7,1974, and included modernization and update of ancillary facilities and surgical/obstetrical departments. During 1977, a new kitchen and dining room were added to the building. In 1979, relocation and modernization of the intensive care unit (ICU) was completed with funds provided by the hospital auxiliary.

In 1986, the Board of Trustees recognized that rapidly expanding outpatient services, emergency rooms, and X-ray services were badly in need of additional space and they sought to find a solution to eliminate the overcrowded conditions.

In early 1989, a Certificate of Need from the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee was obtained and plans for an expansion/renovation were implemented. This addition was completed in December of 1990, and housed new and expanded emergency rooms, X-ray, respiratory therapy, medical records, and laboratory facilities. This addition was funded by a trust left to the hospital by William J Sewall in memory of his first wife, Mary. Mr. Sewall was the former publisher of the Carthage Press.

The south end of 3rd floor was remodeled for our 7-bed Skilled Nursing unit, opened in May 1992. The first floor nursing area has also been remodeled in April 1993, for a geriatric psychiatric unit, called "Generations."
In 1998, the interior of McCune-Brooks Hospital underwent a complete remodel and renovation.

McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation was formed in 1996 to manage fundraising for the hospital.

Plans were begun to build a replacement hospital. Construction of a new building would allow attainment of several goals including addition of new services such as obstetrics; increases in current services such as emergency and women’s health; improved patient comfort, and better access.

In December 2003 the foundation acquired approximately 49 acres of land which includes a 34-acre site on which the new building is to be constructed and a two-acre site for a new EMS building. In July 2005, the city acquired, on behalf of the hospital, from the foundation, the 34- and two-acre sites. The location of the new building is approximately two miles south of the Centennial Avenue location. The new location will allow for improved EMS response time due to quick access to Highway 71.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital on April 29, 2005. Board members, physicians, employees, local dignitaries and members of the community attended to mark this momentous occasion.

Construction of the new building began on November 4, 2005.

A dedication ceremony was held June 18, 2007 to honor Dr. Russell W. Smith as the stretch of road in front of the new building is named Dr Russell Smith Way.

On August, 21, 2007, the 1907 and 1929 cornerstones were moved via horse-drawn wagon to the new hospital site. A procession of employees, ambulances, police cars and fire trucks followed the cornerstones to their new resting place.

The cornerstones are featured in a monument erected on the front lawn near the main entrance of the new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital. The monument contains the 2007 cornerstone along with the 1905 and 1929 cornerstones. Also featured in the monument is the original McCune-Brooks Hospital name, chiseled in marble, which was located at the old hospital entrance.

This ceremony closely resembled a similar cornerstone laying event as reported by the Carthage Press on December 14th in 1905. The Press reports that a procession formed on West Third Street with T.K. Irwin as Grand Marshal. Others included in the procession were the Knights Templar, Master Masons, City Officials, Masonic Officers, Odd Fellows, the hospital board, ambulance and nursing personal and the fire department.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new McCune-Brooks Emergency Medical Services building was held September 5, 2007.

An Open House and Dedication Ceremony for the new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 6, 2008. Those attending were given tours of the new building following the dedication ceremony. The new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital is a 145,000 sq. ft. facility; featuring an out-patient clinic, 41 private patient rooms, expanded women’s program and ER services, an all new digital Radiology Department and a re-birth of McCune-Brooks’ obstetrics program including whirlpool baths, family rooms and individualized care.

On January 17 patients were transferred from McCune-Brooks Hospital to McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital. The first patient transferred was Glen Snyder of Reeds, Missouri.

On January 18 the Emergency Department closed at 2 a.m. at Centennial location and the emergency department at the new building opened at the same time. All hospital services became available at the new building at 6 a.m. on January 18, marking the first full day of business at the new location.

The new EMS Building officially opened on January 23 with an Open House and Dedication Ceremony. Tours of the new facility were available. The new 4200 sq. foot building features four drive-through, full size ambulance bays, living quarters and office space.

McCune Brooks Hospital serves patients primarily from the counties of Jasper, Newton, Barton, Greene, and Lawrence. The medical staff includes family practice physicians, surgeons, and other specialists. Our staff is made up of physicians, whose primary practice is in Carthage, as well as physicians who maintain an office in both Carthage and Joplin. An emergency room with 24-hour physician coverage is available for those patients who need urgent care due to illness or injury.

McCune-Brooks Hospital is governed by seven-member Board of Trustees appointed by the mayor of Carthage. The Board of Trustees meet on a monthly basis to conduct business and members serve without pay.