Later led by the dedication and perseverance of Jack Giles, Kenneth Powless, Edwin Soldner, and Clara Boatright, plus their monetary efforts and the approval of a city bond issue, the first hospital of Marion was constructed. The cost of this original hospital was $1,200,000; the building contents cost $947,047.
An equally important ingredient was the selection of the site for the new community hospital. On March 20, 1950, Jack Giles announced that the new Marion Memorial Hospital would be constructed on the home site of the former Congressman E. E. Denison (the old C.H. Denison home). Groundbreaking was May 31, 1951 and dedication was on May 30, 1953.
The first hospital board was appointed by former Mayor Harry Rodd (and Mayor William Shannon): John Giles, president; Edwin Soldner, secretary; and Ken Powless, attorney.
Jack Giles, president of the board, became interested in securing a hospital for Marion in 1948 and at that time was made temporary chairman of a group of citizens interested in securing a Baptist hospital for the city. When the Baptist plans failed to materialize, he joined with Williamson County Hospital Association, and later became chairman of Marion Hospital Corporation, seeking to locate a hospital here.
During 1950 And 1951, Jack Giles devoted almost all of his time to the hospital project. In addition to time and money donated to the hospital, Giles funded one of the nursing scholarships.
Mr. Ed Soldner was originally appointed to the Board by Mayor Rodd in 1950 for a three year term. He was still serving the Board as secretary in 1989.
The other original Board member appointed in 1950 was Kenneth Powless, who functioned as the hospital attorney. Mr. Powless served the hospital and the community as Board Member Emeritus in 1989. Mr. Powless’ son, Jim, now serves as the attorney for Marion Memorial Hospital.
Originally, Marion Memorial Hospital had a bed capacity of 73, but considered occupancy of 56 patients as an adequate operating level. The hospital was designed like a giant “X” with four large wings. The original hospital had a pharmacy, x-ray rooms, and two large modern operating rooms.
Mrs. Shirley Lindberg was the first administrator of the Marion Memorial Hospital. The first Director of Nurses was Myrtle Lambert, who had been a registered nurse for 15 years.
The first patient at Marion Memorial Hospital arrived on May 30, 1953 at 9:45 a.m., her name was Effie Harper. The first patient brought to the hospital by ambulance was Ed Toller. At noon on May 30, the hospital’s first emergency case, Jim Strachon of Herrin, was admitted for emergency treatment from injuries sustained in a fall at the Joppa plant.
Following completion of the facility in 1953, numerous additions and renovations to the existing facility have taken place. The first major addition to the facility was in 1960, in the form of a laundry on the first floor, southeast. In 1968, the entire third floor was added on the existing facility with the northeast quadrant and the core being finished as patient beds and nurses’ station. The remainder of the three wings were shelled in and completed in 1972, as well as the front addition, containing the dining/ cafeteria, gift shop, and portions of the administrative areas.
In 1974, another addition was added between the northwest and southwest quadrants to house medical records and cardio-vascular programs. In 1975, a quadrant was added to the northwest to house an expanded radiology department physical therapy, and outpatient services. In 1984, certain infills were made with the existing facility, including the expansion and renovation of the emergency department in the southwest wing.
In November 1988, a newly renovated intensive care unit was opened, and in 1989, a wing of newly renovated patient rooms was opened.
One of the unique elements of Marion Memorial Hospital is the commitment of its Auxiliary. It serves as the connecting link between the hospital and the community.
The hospital Auxiliary played a major role even before the hospital was opened, their first major project being to purchase the material and supply the sewing of the draperies for the entire hospital, 233 pairs in all. In total, 3,742 articles were made by the sewing community, including sheets and surgical drapes.
Over the years, the Auxiliary has sponsored numerous scholarships for nursing, as well as many pieces of equipment being utilized in the hospital today. The Auxiliary of Marion Memorial Hospital is the largest, most active group in southern Illinois with a membership of over 1,000.
Following the opening of the new hospital in 1953, after years of continuous work and energy spent in bringing the new hospital to fruition, Jack Giles finally felt he could relax and take a holiday for fishing in Minnesota. In June 1953, on the return trip, the plane carrying Giles and two close friends was reported missing over Lake Superior. After fruitless days of searching, it was finally confirmed that all passengers had perished.
In tribute, very few people accomplish anything in life that is lasting and for the benefit of their fellow man. But the reality of Marion Memorial Hospital through the efforts, energy, and commitment of Jack Giles is a testimony to the memory of this man.”—- Extracted from the 1989 Sesquicentennial History Book.
The business of the hospital, but not the building, was eventually sold to Community Health Services of Brentwood, TN. and a new commercial hospital called Heartland Regional Medical Center was built by the corporation at 3333 W. DeYoung St. with a groundbreaking in 2000 and building dedication in the fall of 2002.
Starting in 2003, the city tried for several years to sell the property and building at 915 W. Main St. with numerous failed attempts, but it never occurred. Faced with the debt of keeping it maintained for sale, it was finally demolished in 2011. Plans are currently being made to turn the now empty lot into a city maintained recreational facility.
(Main article and one photo from the 1989 Sesquicentennial History; remaining photos’s from the Williamson County Historical Society)