Decatur Memorial Hospital (DMH), is a Decatur, Illinois affiliate of

Memorial Medical Center (Springfield, Illinois) Springfield Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a 500-bed non-profit teaching hospital located in Springfield, Illinois. Founded in 1897, Springfield Memorial Hospital is one of two hospitals in the Springfield metropolitan area. It also is home to the Me ...

and is a 300-bed,

not-for-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, community hospital founded in 1916. DMH has more than 2,300 employees and 300 physicians. It is a designated Level II Trauma Center. On October 1, 2019, a merger with Memorial Medical Systems of Springfield was announced with Memorial Medical Center listed as the "parent company" in the Decatur Herald-Review.

History

Sue Hagaman, citizen of Decatur, publicly advocated for the building of a community hospital to accommodate births. She approached Decatur doctor, Dr.

William Barnes William Barnes (22 February 1801 – 7 October 1886) was an English polymath, writer, poet, philologist, priest, mathematician, engraving artist and inventor. He wrote over 800 poems, some in Dorset dialect, and much other work, including a co ...

, who was instrumental in the planning and completion of the hospital. For 15 years, they planned, organized community members, and raised funds. On January 1, 1916, Decatur and Macon County Hospital opened its doors to patients. The name was changed to Decatur Memorial Hospital in 1968.Dan J. Forrestal, ''The Vigil Never Ceases Two Miles North An Update History,'' Missouri, 1985.

References

External links

* Hospitals in Illinois {{Illinois-hospital-stub