MEMORIAL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS; LOOKS BACK ON CHESTER'S MEDICAL HISTORY

Memorial Hospital in Chester is proudly celebrating its 50th birthday. The hospital, at 1900 State Street, officially opened its doors on October 12, 1962. The original medical staff was appointed September 20 of that year and included I.D. Newmark, M.D., of Chester; Milton Zemlyn, M.D., of Chester; C. Mayfield, M.D., of Steeleville; Ralph Kuhlman, M.D., of Red Bud; and Egon Schneider, M.D., of Steeleville. Dr. David Vidal of Percy was added to the staff in 1963, followed by Dr. John Beck, Sr., of Chester and Dr. V.S. Katty of Steeleville, both in 1964. Dr. James Whittenberg of Chester was added to the medical staff in 1967, followed by Dr. J.C. Mathis of Chester in 1968. Dr. Stephen Platt was appointed to the medical staff in 1977, followed by Dr. James Krieg in 1980. Dr. Susan Carr and Dr. Lisa Lowry both joined Memorial's medical staff in 1994.

In February 2012, Memorial Hospital announced the formation of the Chester Medical Group which is comprised of the hospital's current active medical staff: Dr. Allan Liefer, General Surgery and Chief of Staff; Dr. Stephen Platt, Family Medicine; Dr. James Krieg, Family Medicine; Dr. Lisa Lowry-Rohlfing, Family Medicine; Dr. Scott Hinze, General Surgery; Dr. Joseph Molnar, Family Medicine; and Dr. Shannon Price, Family Medicine.

Memorial's administrator and Chief Executive Officer is Steve Hayes. Currently serving on Memorial Hospital's Board of Directors are Shelby Lawder, Chairman; Jack Link, Treasurer; Betty Derickson, Secretary; Bob Saak, Mike Vasquez,, Tom Search, Ron Pechacek, Richard Allison and Evelyn Schewerk.

Much progress and many advancements have occurred at Memorial during the past 50 years. However, in the interest of local history, let us begin our story much earlier.

First and foremost let me begin by stating that in the writing of this story, I have consulted with many people and have also referenced a variety of written histories. I have made every effort to be thorough and accurate. However, admittedly, there could be areas where there is some discrepancy of fact. If the reader does find what he or she deems to be in error, I apologize.

According to the Chester History Book (1979) the very early days of Chester revealed the names of several doctors, including Dr. Adderly in Chester's courthouse block; Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Morrison, both on State Street near the Methodist Church; Dr. Aszmann whose office was located farther up State Street near the center of town; Dr. Fritze on Opdyke Street; and Dr. McKenzie on George Street. Since this historical account was written by a private citizen, there may be some names that were inadvertently omitted.

Prior to 1939 there was no hospital facility in Chester. Chester physician Dr. I.D. Newmark reportedly took his patients to St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud in his own car and made home visits and deliveries by traveling by horse and buggy, when necessary.

Around 1939 or 1940, we are told that a home on Servant Street in Chester was rented and renovated into a small hospital facility that was operated by Dr. Newmark. Dr. Newmark's son, Lewis who resides in St. Louis, verified that fact. We are told by Patrick Mulholland of Chester that the foundation of that building and the steps in front of the building are still in existence. That property sits directly behind the Mulholland home and is now owned by the John Mulholland family. It is our understanding that when Dr. Newmark's partner at the time, Dr. Sam Schneider, was called into U.S. military service in 1942, they were forced to close the small facility and again Dr. Newmark is said to have transported his patients to St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud. Others who have shared their recollections of the same era believe that a Dr. Hiller from Pinckneyville operated an office or small hospital at that same location.

In 1946 a building was purchased at 1101 George St. in Chester by Dr. Newmark and Dr. Milton Zemlyn. They had the building remodeled to accommodate a 25-bed hospital. This building was used as a non-profit hospital for Chester until 1962 when Memorial Hospital was opened, built on a seven acre plot of land, donated for that purpose by Austin Cole, Sr.

According to a history of the hospital, which was included in the 1979 Chester History Book, the idea for a new hospital was born in the winter of 1957 when members of the Chester Woman's Club entered a Community Improvement Contest. They surveyed the needs and problems of the community and much attention was focused on the need for a more adequate and modern hospital facility. After a suggestion from Eileen Gordon to Aurelia Smith, then president of the Chester Woman's Club, it was decided that a new hospital facility would be an appropriate project to pursue. A hospital auxiliary was formed and following that a steering committee, headed by Ted Search, Sr., to investigate the financing options of a new hospital. Prior to this time, Mrs. T.C. Search, Sr,, assisted by Mrs. H.C. Backer, had organized a group of volunteers who served as an auxiliary at the Chester Hospital on George Street. Mrs. Search and her auxiliary would prove to be invaluable in assisting with the vision and realization of the new hospital.

The steering committee determined that the best course of action was to form a hospital district. Petitions requesting an election concerning a hospital district were filed in the Randolph County Clerk's office. On May 16, 1959 the proposal carried by a majority of six to one. Following the election, a nine member Board of Directors was appointed by Judge Paul H. Nehrt and the nine original members were Mrs. T.C. Search, Sr., Chairman; Mrs. Ralph Darling, Secretary; Mrs. William H. Welge, Treasurer; Mrs. Austin Cole, Sr., Raymond Eilers, John C. Galeski, Jr., Lenus Wingerter, Robert Clendenin and Graydon Fink. Many, many individuals in the community, far too many to mention, were helpful and instrumental in taking Memorial Hospital from the idea stages to fruition.

The architectural firm of Edward F. Bartels and Associates was selected to draw up the plans for the hospital. Hill Burton funds were approved for between 25% and 33% of the total cost. Subsequently, a bond issue in the amount of $850,000.00 was levied on January 30, 1960; a cornerstone was laid on July 22, 1961.

Within a few years of the hospital's opening in 1962, the need for more room and services was evident and the hospital's south wing was added to provide 34 additional beds. This wing opened in May 1970 and was designed by Hanner-Breitweiser-McLaughlin, Architects of Chester. The contractor was Kiefner Brothers of Perryville, MO. This addition was financed by donations and hospital funds derived from earnings and included a five bed intensive care unit.

Today, 50 years later, Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital, fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). Memorial's many services include an intensive care unit and 24-hour physician directed emergency services, as well as Convenient Care from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Saturday.

Memorial hosts a wide variety of out-patient specialty clinics, including Cardiology, Orthopedics, Allergy/Immunology, Neurology, Urology, Nephrology, Ears/Nose/Throat, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Speech, Audiology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Vascular Surgery, Podiatry, Oncology/Hematology, Pain Management and General Surgery.

Memorial has a full service laboratory with the areas of blood bank, drug testing, urinalysis, hematology, serology, chemistry and microbiology.

The hospital's fully digital Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging) Department includes CT scanning, MRI, mammography, ultrasound, bone densitometry, echocardiography, nuclear medicine and general radiology.

Memorial's Cardiopulmonary Department provides a variety of services including treadmill testing, EKGs, holter and event monitoring, EEG brain wave testing, respiratory care and sleep studies. In addition, Memorial's oncology/hematology department provides chemotherapy for cancer patients.

Memorial's state-of-the-art Therapy & Sports Rehab Center, located at 833 Lehmen Drive in Chester, offers a fully equipped gymnasium, SwimEx aquatic therapy pool, all physical therapy modalities, sports rehabilitation services, lymphedema treatment and a work hardening program to help in getting employees back to work quicker after injury. The center also provides nutritional, wellness and exercise programs for the public on a continuing basis.

In an ongoing effort to better serve the needs of the public, Memorial provides support groups for diabetes, cancer and grief, all free of charge to the public.

Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, with a current membership of over 300, continues its rich tradition of service to the hospital. Through their ongoing fundraising projects, including the hospital gift shop, the auxiliary continues to assist the hospital in funding various projects and acquisition of diagnostic and procedural equipment.

From the very early physicians in and around Chester, through the early medical offices and hospital facilities, through the present time…one thing is consistent and evident. Chester has been and is still very rich in the area of health care service to the community.

The staff and administration at Memorial Hospital in Chester take their mission very seriously. We are committed to professional excellence, in providing safe, quality health care, compassion and service to our patients and their families. This is our mission and our goal. It is with a sense of pride and excitement that we begin our journey through the next 50 years of healthcare service to Chester and the surrounding areas. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who worked so very hard to secure Memorial Hospital for Chester.