For 50 years, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has been a cornerstone of care and compassion in our community. Our journey is defined by milestones in innovation, dedication, and growth. Explore the history that shaped our legacy and continues to inspire our mission today.
Hutchinson’s journey in healthcare began with the establishment of Grace Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Mercy Hospital, two pioneering institutions dedicated to serving the community.
By the 1960s, the increasing demand for healthcare highlighted the necessity of a unified approach to meet the region’s evolving needs, paving the way for future collaboration.
In 1970, Grace Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Mercy Hospital joined forces, creating the Hutchinson Hospital Corporation. This landmark decision laid the foundation for a modern medical center to serve the region’s growing needs.
In 1972, construction began on the new Hutchinson Hospital. This milestone marked the start of creating a centralized facility to meet the region’s healthcare needs, bringing the vision of the merger closer to reality.
In 1975, Hutchinson Hospital officially opened its doors, bringing advanced, centralized medical care to the region. This monumental event marked the beginning of a new chapter in healthcare for the community and surrounding areas.
The 1980s were a decade of innovation, with the introduction of CAT scanning technology and nuclear medicine, transforming the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities. In 1988, the Chalmers Cancer Center opened, providing comprehensive oncology services and establishing the hospital as a leader in cancer care for the region.
Throughout the 1990s, the hospital focused on addressing the evolving needs of the community. Key advancements included the opening of the Ray E. Dillon Living Center in 1990 and the launch of expanded cardiology services in 1992. The Family Birthing Center, Dialysis Unit, and Community Health Center further solidified the hospital’s commitment to providing specialized and accessible care.
In 2002, the Hospice House and Residency Facilities opened, offering compassionate end-of-life care. These new facilities provided patients and families with a supportive environment during critical times, exemplifying the hospital’s dedication to holistic care.
The introduction of an emergency helicopter service in 2004 revolutionized the hospital’s ability to respond to time-sensitive emergencies. This milestone ensured that patients in rural areas had timely access to advanced care when every second counted.
In 2011, the facility was officially renamed Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, reflecting its growing role as a regional hub for healthcare excellence and innovation.
A $6.2 million renovation expanded the Emergency Department in 2015, improving accessibility and ensuring patients received timely and efficient care during critical moments.
In 2018, the ICU underwent a $23 million expansion, featuring cutting-edge technologies, telemetry systems, and patient-centered designs. The Foundation’s $4 million contribution underscored the community’s support for advancing healthcare.
In 2021, HRMC completed a million-dollar remodel of its labor and delivery unit. The Birthing Center offers private rooms, cesarean support, lactation consulting, and services promoting mother-baby bonding.
HRMC partnered with Hutchinson Community College in 2023 to open a nursing simulation lab, announced during Senator Jerry Moran’s visit. This collaboration enhances clinical training and regional healthcare education.
In 2024, HRMC opened an Inpatient Pediatric Unit for expert family-centered care. The Behavioral Health Unit also earned State Institutional Alternative (SIA) accreditation, improving access to mental health services.
Our mission at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is clear: to make health and healing available to all. Guided by our vision to be the best health system in a thriving community, we focus on delivering exceptional care, fostering meaningful connections, and embodying values that drive us toward excellence.
Every day, we uphold our commitment to quality, safety, and teamwork, ensuring that our expanded service lines—including OBGYN, Primary Care, Radiology, and Pulmonology—provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
From Primary Care and OBGYN to Radiology and Rehabilitation, we’ve grown our service lines to provide comprehensive care closer to home. Recent upgrades include cutting-edge imaging technologies and expanded access to pulmonology and cancer care.
We humbly recognize that our employees are the foundation of our success. Through programs like tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and recognition initiatives, we foster a culture of growth, kindness, and teamwork.
We are proud to be entrusted with people’s lives and honored to hold designations like AACVPR accreditation for Cardiopulmonary Rehab and being named a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, reflecting our unwavering commitment to exceptional care.
Through HutchCares and local partnerships, we actively serve our community with warmth and compassion. From awarding scholarships to sponsoring wellness initiatives, we honor the dignity and worth of every individual we touch.
From small community moments to larger celebrations, these moments reflect just some of the many ways Hutchinson Regional Medical Center marked its 50th anniversary in 2025. Throughout the year, we connected with our community through experiences that honored our history and celebrated five decades of care and service.
January
Chamber After Hours
Community leaders gathered for a Chamber After Hours event at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, connecting over 50 years of care while looking ahead to the future of healthcare in our community.
February - March
Community Moments
March featured a series of small but meaningful community moments, from 50¢ coffee and hot dogs to a youth art contest celebrating creativity and care. Together, these activities invited all ages to join in simple, joyful ways as we honored 50 years of service and connection.
June
Heart of Hutch Celebration
The Heart of Hutch Celebration brought the community together for a lively day of food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music, and hands-on experiences that celebrated connection, healthy living, and local pride.
August
Minority Business Mixer
The Minority Business Mixer brought the community together for an inclusive evening of celebration and wellness, with local performances, family-friendly activities, and free health screenings.
September
Veterans Golf Classic
The Veterans Golf Classic brought golfers together at Carey Park Golf Course for a meaningful day of community and competition, supporting veteran-focused programs that strengthen and honor our local heroes.
December
Educational Lunch and Learns
Our Lunch and Learn events offered welcoming, informative conversations on healthcare topics, giving community members the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and feel more confident in their healthcare decisions.
Driven by our mission to make health and healing available to all, and inspired by our vision of becoming the best health system in a thriving community, we are building a future that prioritizes innovation, care, and sustainability. Together, we are shaping a brighter tomorrow for our patients and community.
With advancements like AI diagnostics and telehealth, we are reimagining how care is delivered. Innovation drives our mission to ensure accessible and advanced healthcare for all.
Our future includes enhancing cardiology, oncology, and pediatric care, ensuring every community member can access world-class, specialized healthcare.
Through scholarships, leadership development, and expanded benefits, we are equipping the next generation of caregivers to excel in an environment that values kindness, curiosity, and teamwork.
We are strengthening partnerships and outreach programs to promote health and healing across our region. Guided by compassion and respect, we are dedicated to improving lives today and in the years ahead.
As we honor the past and celebrate the present, our focus remains firmly on the future. Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is committed to advancing care, empowering our community, and building a legacy of health and healing for generations to come. Together, we continue shaping a brighter, healthier tomorrow—carrying the spirit of 50 Years Forward into everything we do.
From major renovations to life-saving equipment, every step forward has been powered by community support. Your generosity fuels capital improvement projects that expand access, enhance care, and bring lasting benefits to patients, families, and providers alike.
Learn how your support is shaping the future of health and healing in our community.
The next chapter of 50 Years Forward begins with a bold step in our new Childcare Facility. Designed to serve local families and healthcare workers alike, this center will offer safe, high-quality, STEM-based early education that inspires curiosity and builds opportunity for generations to come.
Discover how this project is shaping the future of care in our community.
Join us as one of 50 donors leading the next chapter of care. Your generosity fuels innovation, supports our patients, and ensures the spirit of 50 Years Forward continues to thrive.
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