Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Geography
Location	The Dalles, Oregon, United States
Coordinates
Organization
Type	General, acute care
History
Opened	1901
Links
Website	www.mcmc.net
Lists	[[List of hospitals in Oregon |Hospitals in Oregon ]]

Mid-Columbia Medical Center (MCMC) is a hospital complex in The Dalles, Oregon. It was founded in 1901 by pioneer doctors Dr. Belle Cooper Rinehart and Dr. Mary Powell Johnson. The original hospital, known as The Dalles Hospital, had a 20-bed capacity and underwent several expansions over the years. In 1959, a new hospital building was constructed on 19th Street, which was considered one of the most modern hospitals in the country at the time. In 1979, the hospital expanded by 20,000 square feet to accommodate more patients and improve facilities.

In June 1992, Mid-Columbia Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to implement the Planetree concept of patient-centered care facility-wide. This concept focuses on providing holistic and personalized care to patients. In recognition of its patient-centered approach, the hospital was designated as a "Designated Patient-Centered Hospital" in 2007, one of only five hospitals in the country to receive this recognition.

The Mid-Columbia Medical Center Heliport is located one mile northwest of The Dalles in Wasco County, Oregon.

History

The original hospital in The Dalles was started in 1901 by pioneer doctors, Dr. Belle Cooper Rinehart and Dr. Mary Powell Johnson in the Rinehart family home. Dr. Belle Cooper Rinehart Ferguson gave high praise to her mother, "…whose encouragement, intelligence and ability imparted strength and determination.

" Two of Belle's sons became physicians.

In 1903, Dr. Belle Cooper Rinehart married Dr. Elmer Ferguson. They expanded their home and enlarged the hospital, which came to be known as The Dalles Hospital. Dr. John Reuter became their partner in their practice and hospital. Other hospital expansions occurred in 1912 and 1937.

Donations from local citizens, businesses, physicians, and hospital staff helped pay for a new hospital in 1959 on 19th Street. The new hospital was described as one of the most modern hospitals in the country at the time.

In 1979, the hospital expanded by 20,000 square feet to accommodate more patients and improve facilities. The hospital also began offering on-site child care and child development services in 1982.

In 1992, Mid-Columbia Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to implement the Planetree concept of patient-centered care facility-wide. This approach focuses on providing holistic and personalized care to patients.

In 2007, the hospital was recognized as a "Designated Patient-Centered Hospital," one of only five hospitals in the country to receive this recognition.