Summer 2018 Magazine

BLAST FROM THEPAST
In Celebration of ECMC's 120th Anniversary
Effective leaders do not try to go it alone, but rather work within their
communities to bring about needed change. Developing effective
partnerships were some of the first actions Doctors Harry O?Donnell and
H. Z. Hissem engaged in when in 1897 they established the first public
hospital in Ellsworth. The doctors not only served as surgeons,
continued their own private practices, but started,
maintained, and were administrators for the new
hospital. These were courageous actions that
required partnership every step of the way. The
partnerships established and their commitment to provide healthcare, resulted in a
hospital being founded 120 years ago. Their actions were a blessing then and
continue to have a profound impact today on Ellsworth County Medical Center.
Dr. Hissem, a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, was
well-known for his surgical skills. He immersed himself in the Ellsworth community
and at one point was even elected as mayor.
Dr. Harry O?Donnell also a graduate of Bellevue, hailed from a long line of doctors and
eventually was succeeded by his own son, Dr. Clair O?Donnell. Ellsworth Hospital grew under the
leadership of these fine doctors. Seven years after the hospital was started, the Ellsworth Hospital School
of Nursing was developed. By establishing the school, the doctors ?grew their own staff,? thereby enabling
the hospital to expand.
The partnerships for developing and maintaining the hospital and school of nursing were numerous;
many of these partners found within the Ellsworth County community. From the original four ?hospital?
rooms provided at the now, Good Samaritan Retirement Village, the original stockholders that included
pharmacists from Ellsworth, to the donations of land, equipment, and finances to the present day
ownership by Ellsworth County - there has been and are partners dedicated to improving the health of our
community. Four name changes and four building sites later, we continue to have leaders taking steps to
make sure ECMC is a viable medical center that continues to partner for a healthy community. The past
year of celebration has centered on the theme, ECMC...Partnering for a Healthy Community. While names of
partners have changed throughout our history, this constant has remained, our medical center is
dedicated to Improving Lives and will do so as long as we have partners committed to the same mission.
10 | Health Matters
Ellsworth County Medical Center
1604 Aylward Ave.
Ellsworth, KS 67439
Main Phone Line
785-472-3111
Direct Clinic Phone Line
785-810-1177
www.ewmed.com
The Summer edition of Health Matters has been provided through ECMC. Questions regarding our ECMC publication can be directed to Beth Vallier at
785-472-3111 ext. 328, or bvallier@ewmed.com. This publication does not constitute legal, professional or medical advice. Although it is intended to be
accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have medical questions
or concerns, consult your medical professional. Photographs provided by Shutterstock and JR Photography.