Gifford Milestones
Thank you for your interest in Gifford's history. Below you can read some of the medical center's many milestones from throughout the years.
1924 - A new annex is built, enlarging the Sanatorium for additional patient space.
1929 - A fire destroys the older part of the hospital. Homemade fire doors save the the new wing.
1931 - New structure is erected on the old site.
1947 - Fundraising is launched for the construction of a new wing.
1952 - Ground is broken for the new north wing. The fund drive begun in 1947 brought in $400,000 in community donations that made the new construction possible.
1959 - The Gifford School of Nursing is closed, having graduated some 200 professional nurses since its creation in 1905.
1977 - Gifford opens New England’s first hospital-based Birthing Room, later renamed the Birthing Center.
1989-94 - One of the nation’s first hospitals to support primary-care practices in rural areas, Gifford opens or acquires community health centers in Rochester (1989), Bethel (1990), Chelsea (1992) and South Royalton (1994).
1991 - Embracing the role as a complete health care resource for all 18 towns of The White River Valley, Gifford Memorial Hospital becomes Gifford Medical Center. Gifford opens a completely renovated outpatient department, along with a new emergency room and medical office building.
1992 - The medical center acquires the former Tranquility Nursing Home in Randolph, reopening it as Gifford Elder Care.
1993 - To allow for integrated delivery of health services, the medical center becomes the direct employer of all primary-care physicians on its medical staff. Since the late 1970’s, the Medical Staff has grown from eight Physicians to almost 50, along with certified nurse-midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
1973-1994 – Philip D. Levesque serves as chief executive officer until his death from cancer. He leaves a lasting impression on the hospital, including the medical building and community award named in his memory. The Garden Room is also created in his honor.
1999 - Major renovations bring the opening of the new Menig Extended Care Facility, a modernized Howell Pavilion for inpatient care, a new Courtyard Garden and a new, larger Birthing Center.
1999 - Gifford begins an adult day care program at the Menig Extended Care Facility.