The New Hospital
1950 After the community’s attempt
to build a new facility was stalled by the government –
and the war – corporate and individual support from
the community resulted in a successful building campaign.
The new hospital opened in 1950 with 100 beds. A concrete
walkway was built to connect the "old Burrus Memorial
building" to the new facility, when officials realized
that the new building just wasn’t big enough. The
new hospital would end up using 80 beds in the old building.
Aerial view
of hospital showing construction - 1958
New Hospital Experienced Growing Pains
1950's "The new hospital
was filled from the outset and pressures quickly built up
for more space. The old portion of the original hospital was
utilized, but as it became older and dingier it contrasted
sharply with the bright new facilities. Time and time again
there was no room for patients, frequently heart cases had
to share a room or remain in beds placed in halls until a
room became available. Trustees and staff were distressed."
—Carter Dalton,
in 1958 High Point Enterprise article.
The 1950's The idea of a heart center originated,
and community leaders and board members teamed up to challenge
High Point to again provide for the facilities. With the
help of The Duke Endowment, Hill-Burton funds and a huge
outpouring
of generosity from the community, $1.3 million was raised
for a substantial addition, which virtually doubled the
size of
the hospital. High Point’s population was nearly 40,000.
The
School Of Nursing
1954 The Nursing School was flourishing, sending
its graduates across the country. To accommodate the growing
enrollment, a modern, new nurses’ dormitory and class
building was completed in 1954.
1958 "The story of the development
of High Point’s hospital, to me, is a thrilling one.
It is the story of dedicated men and women who have battled
for what they felt was right and that purpose has triumphed
in an institution that reflects credit upon the community
which provided and operated it …. High Point has its
hospital … operating successfully as a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the well-being of all the people of this community."
—Carter Dalton,
High Point Enterprise
Sept. 14, 1958
