History . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nemaha County Hospital was dedicated and opened for
public health services on May 1, 1963, in the original 26-bed building.
Construction was funded jointly by bonds issued by Nemaha County and by
Hill-Burton funds.
The institution grew rapidly, and the need for
expansion was fulfilled with an additional bond issue with completion in
1970. The added construction increased patient capacity to 44, including
four intensive care beds, and provided new administrative offices.
In 1974, Nemaha County Hospital added physical therapy,
a new store room, maintenance garage, ambulance garage, dining room and
remodeled the kitchen, all financed from the hospital’s operating funds.
In 1992, the licensed bed capacity was changed to 39
and 5 bassinets. Former patient rooms were needed for pharmacy remodeling
and nursing offices.
Bed capacity was decreased to 37 in 1994 after
remodeling for cardiac rehab. The bed capacity was decreased to 32 in 1996
due to decreased inpatient census.
In April of 2000, the voters passed a $4.75 million
bond issue. Ground breaking began in June of 2000 and the remodeling, which
was completed in three phases, was completed in April of 2003. The project
added a new wing for outpatient services, new OR and Procedure rooms,
contemporary ER facilities, private patient rooms, and updates to many other
departments. The bed capacity for Nemaha County Hospital is now 20.
It should be noted that a county tax levy for the
operational fund was necessary only the first three years; since 1966, the
hospital has been self-supporting, and there have been no county taxes for
that purpose since. The bond fund, used for original construction and the
addition, retired in 1979.
Since we are a county owned facility, we are governed
by state law, which specifies the hospital is controlled by a Board of
Directors comprised of five members, for six-year terms. Our Directors meet
at 6:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Hospital. A Board
member meets quarterly with the County Commissioners.
