Sampson County is one of the few rural communities in the state to still have its own independent hospital. Sampson Regional Medical Center will be commemorating 75 years on Friday, Oct. 10, with a celebration on the front lawn at 2 p.m.
The community is invited to take part in the event. The 75th Anniversary Celebration will feature remarks from hospital and community leaders, as well as historical displays showcasing the hospital’s history. A variety of other planned events and activities will take place throughout the coming year to celebrate the hospital’s 75th anniversary.
The hospital was founded in 1950 as Sampson County Memorial Hospital. Over the years, the hospital has expanded and improved its technology with the times, but one thing that hasn’t changed — it’s still an independently operated healthcare facility.
“Since October of 1950, almost 40,000 babies have been delivered at the hospital — a powerful reminder of how deeply SRMC is woven into the life stories of so many families,” shared Kristy Bland, business development liaison for SRMC. “Over the decades, the hospital has expanded and adapted to meet the changing needs of the community, growing into the regional medical center it is today.”
Added Dr. Shawn Howerton, chief executive and chief medical officer, “Seventy-five years ago, our community made an investment in itself by building this hospital. From the first patient admitted in 1950 to the thousands we care for each year today, this hospital has always been about one thing: serving people with compassion, excellence, and dedication. This anniversary gives us a chance to reflect on the legacy and say thank you to the many individuals who have made it possible.”
As Sampson County has grown, so has its hospital. Surgical suites were expanded in the 1970s, specialty clinics were established in the 1990s, and more recently, SRMC has added a successful family medicine program, and the latest medical technology to its offerings.
“We are proud of our history, but we are also excited about the future,” Howerton said. “Healthcare is always evolving, and as we look ahead, we remain committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care right here at home. The next 75 years are just as important as the first.”
For more information on the hospital’s history, visit www.SampsonRMC.org/75thAnniversary.