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History of the Tioga
Medical Center
As early as 1952, the old Commercial Club, now the
Chamber of Commerce, discussed the need for a hospital in Tioga. Ward
Barden, City Auditor, was president of the club at that time. Barden,
Francis Cannon (Fire Chief), and Roland McMaster (publisher of the Tioga
Tribune) felt that with all the new oil industry, new businesses, new
construction, etc., that there was an urgent need for medical
facilities. In December of that year the American Legion Post #139
became interested and appointed a committee to study the matter.
The first meeting for the
Tioga
Hospital
project was held January 19, 1953 at the home of C.H. Olson. Those
present were AnnaBelle Knutson, Evangeline.
Rye
, Gladys Eide, Ruby Martinson, Freada Thorburn, Royal and Eleanor Brown,
C.H. and Doris Olson, Kermit Haakenson and Ernest Ramberg. Officers
elected were C.H. Olson, chairman; Freada Thorburn, secretary; and
Robert Knutson, Treasurer.
After meeting with hospital promoters in other towns and visiting with
interested citizens, it was decided that it would be more practical to
build a clinic first and then follow with a hospital, but before there
could be either, there must be a doctor.
The following article was taken from a brochure that was found in the
scrapbook that had been compiled by Myrtle Moratzka:
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THE
ANSWER
“Last
February, citizens of the Tioga community enthusiastically
organized to provide medical facilities in town. Because of this
spirit and recognizing the possibilities of the future, two
young physicians have been attracted to begin practice here. Dr.
R.P. Froeschle and Dr. R.W. Cranston have temporarily
established offices in the
Blikre
Building
. Within a month the demand placed upon these doctors made it
apparent that to provide adequate medical service for the area
we need a clinic building immediately.
The Tioga Community Clinic and Hospital Association has been
organized to meet this great challenge. The construction of a
building, 30 by 80, has begun. Estimated cost with some
equipment stands at $40,000. Already, a number of new industries
have pledged support for this venture. Each family in the
community will have the opportunity to participate in building
this new arm of service.
The
clinic marks another step forward on the part of Tioga people.
With medical service near, hundreds of miles of travel will be
saved. Doctors at hand means a greater sense of security for our
families. Furthermore, more people will look upon Tioga as their
business and social center.
Drs. Froeschle and
Cranston
have committed themselves to purchase the clinic building when
the times come to build a hospital. The proceeds thereof will
automatically convert into the hospital fund. Thus, your
contribution to the clinic today becomes an investment in the
future
Tioga
Community
Hospital
”
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Construction of
the clinic began August 24, 1953. The open house was held February 14,
1954.
The first meeting to plan for a hospital was held July 29, 1955. Bid
letting for the 25-bed hospital was April 29, 1960 and groundbreaking
ceremonies for the $590,000 hospital were held on June 5, 1960. The
doors were opened for patients on October 25, 1961.
Charlotte Law of White Earth was the first patient to be admitted on October 25,
1961. The first male patient to be admitted was Joseph Hilleren of Tioga
and the first baby born was Stuart Jay McKirdy on November 7, 1961.
Ground work for the new 30 bed nursing home was started in 1976, with an
estimated completion date of September 1977. The doors were opened in
January of 1978. Over 500 people attended the open house on January 15
and the first nine residents were admitted on January 16.
Tioga
Community
Hospital
was renamed to
Tioga
Medical
Center
and purchased the clinic from Dr. R.A. Patel in August of 1990.
Tioga
Medical
Center
built an independent living facility in 1998. The Independent Living
facility comprises of 14 apartments with a large commons area. The
facility is adjacent to the
Tioga
Medical
Center
which allows residents added safety and security.
Currently,
Tioga
Medical
Center
consists of a 25-bed
Critical
Access
Hospital
, 30-bed Long Term Care Facility, one-clinic, and a 14-apartment
independent living facility located in Tioga.
Tioga
Medical
Center
also operates two satellite clinics located in Ray, and
Powers
Lake
.
Tioga Medical Center
810 Welo Street ~ PO Box 159
Tioga, North Dakota 58852
Ph 701.664.3305 ~ Fax 701.664.2240
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