At a time when most hospitals are downsizing, Henry Medical Center continues to experience the phenomenal growth that has occurred since the hospital opened its doors in 1979.

When Henry General Hospital opened for business July 9, 1979, it was a small hospital that provided services to a rural county of just 35,000 residents. From the minute the first patient arrived, just 16 minutes after the doors opened, the hospital experienced unparalleled growth. Henry County resident Windsor Daniel spearheaded the idea to build a hospital to meet the needs of a growing community. Daniel worked with Henry County Commission Chairman Hugh Findley and Sen. Herman Talmadge to explore the project. The commissioners appointed a Hospital Authority, whose first chairman was Daniel, to study the feasibility of building a public hospital for Henry County.

In 1974, the Authority voted to pursue establishing a hospital and through Talmadge's office secured an $8 million loan at 5 percent interest through the Farmers Home Administration to finance the initial construction and equipment purchases. Though some citizens initially protested the project as unnecessary and too expensive, the hospital's July 1979 dedication drew an estimated 2,000 citizens. The hospital initially opened with 104 beds, but now is licensed for 215 beds.

During the first eight-hour shift, three patients were admitted, two others were treated and released from the Emergency Room, and five others received care as outpatients. The hospital averaged 30 patients in residence the first month. Within six months, all 104 beds were open due to patient demand. Today, over 7,500 people are admitted as inpatients each year.

Henry Medical Center is a 215-bed not-for-profit community hospital. A volunteer Board of Directors leads the hospital. It offers exceptional medical care to more than 160,000 residents of one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, as well as the residents of adjoining counties. It is no longer a small rural hospital, but rather a medical center equipped to perform a wide range of medical services.

In 1995, Henry General Hospital was renamed Henry Medical Center. The name change reflected the proactive role to design services in order to meet the future health care challenges. Along with the name change, the hospital's parent holding corporation was reorganized. This restructuring made the organization more flexible and enabled the hospital to affiliate with larger health care systems.

The heart of our vision is superior people providing superior healthcare services. This vision for tomorrow begins with our mission today.