Blackford Community Hospital
The Early Years
Growth and Prosperity
The New Millennium
Tradition of the Founders
A New Beginning and Location
The Early Years
On April 8, 1923, Blackford County Hospital opened its doors to serve the residents of the community. Superintendent Emma Stoll boasted a staff of "four efficient nurses." Doctors and nurses felt lucky to work in the most state-of-the-art facility in the area at the time. The new hospital featured a maternity room and delivery room with the latest in birthing technology. The operating room was lit with immense skylights to provide doctors the greatest amount of light possible to perform their delicate work. There were also special sun parlors, kitchens and private rooms. The latest equipment was used throughout the facility. Another exceptional feature was the spacious living quarters for the staff. During this time, it was not uncommon for nursing staff to live at the hospital during their employment returning home only on days off.
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Growth and Prosperity
Blackford County Hospital continued to grow and prosper over the next 30 years. The growth required the addition of a new wing, which was completed in 1958. Success followed and by 1967, the building erected in 1923 no longer met the needs of the community. The once-majestic original structure was demolished in June 1972 after another wing adjoining the 1958 addition was completed.
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The New Millennium
Blackford County Hospital moved toward the new millennium with a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion. The project, completed in June 1999, received tremendous support from the community and staff in the way of monetary donations. The contribution was appropriately named "Our Gift To You." In February 2000, the hospital became certified by Medicare as a critical access hospital.
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Tradition of the Founders
In the tradition of its founders who insisted on the delivery of quality, cost-effective patient care adaptable to the ever-changing healthcare environment, the hospital became part of Cardinal Health System in summer 2002. The affiliation marked the end of the Blackford County Hospital name, but it signified the beginning of a new era in healthcare for community residents.
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A New Beginning and Location
In January 2005, Cardinal Health System and Blackford Community Hospital opened a new campus. The facility included a new 15-bed hospital with all private rooms, a new attached medical office building and a new ambulance garage. The complex is built on one floor and occupies more than 55,000 square feet of space. The new buildings are beautifully designed to accomodate all patient and visitor needs.
The medical office building houses Blackford Community Pharmacy and Blackford County Medical Group. The office building's address is 400 Pilgrim Blvd., Hartford City, IN 47348.
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Blackford Community Hospital
410 Pilgrim Blvd.
Hartford City, IN 47348
Phone: (765) 348-0300
Fax: (765) 348-0574
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