Our History

Excellence in Healthcare Since 1921

When Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital was built in 1921, who would have envisioned the little hospital in Saunders Grove growing into the health center that it is today? For over 100 years, the hospital has built a reputation of an established tradition of healthcare excellence.

In the early 1920s, Mount Pleasant was bustling with activity that included work on a high school, college, and public library. Adding the construction of a fledgling hospital to that list was ambitious. However, the community support was obvious as Henry County voters authorized the bond issue of $100,000 for the construction and equipment of a county hospital in Mount Pleasant. The City of Mount Pleasant showed support by unanimously voting to donate the site in Saunders Grove with land for future expansion, along with water, electricity, sewer connections, permanent sidewalks, and streets. 

After the site was selected, a board of trustees elected, and an architect contracted to build a 20-bed hospital, the building was completed in late November 1921. On December 12, 1921, Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital opened. In June 1953, the hospital began doing business as Henry County Memorial Hospital. The trustees approved the name Henry County Health Center on October 18, 1976; however, the legal name remains Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital. Over the years, the hospital has undergone several building projects, along with equipment and service line enhancements to continue to provide high quality healthcare close to home for area residents. HCHC is now a Critical Access Hospital and has a long-term care facility, Park Place, which is physically connected to the hospital. 

Iowa’s first ever public-private operational lease agreement between HCHC and Great River Health resulted in two boards overseeing the Henry County hospital. The HCHC, Inc. Board of Directors manages the operations of the health center, while Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital publicly-elected Board of Trustees maintains oversight of the facility and the performance of the lease. The expanded partnership provides financial stability to the health center, guarantees that the health services are managed locally, and ensures that high quality healthcare remains close to home for years to come.

Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital Board continues to oversee the services of Park Place, Emergency Medical Services, and Friends of HCHC. The Henry County Health Center Foundation is also instrumental in creating and maintaining local health resources which bring health and quality of life to our community.