About Us
How to contact us:
402-228-3344
P.O. Box 278
1110 N. 10th St.
Beatrice, NE 68310
Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center is the largest rural hospital in Southeast Nebraska. The 25-bed critical access hospital, its staff, physicians and most importantly, its patients, have at their disposal, the most modern, state-of-the-art technology available in both treatment modalities and diagnostic equipment. During the last year, patients from more than 150 communities in southeastern Nebraska and northern Kansas were treated and received Skilled Healthcare Close to Home.
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to be the healthcare resource for the communitieis we serve by providing quality services and compassionate care.
Vision Statement
To provide access to the full continuum of health care for our communities.
Values
Excellence * Compassion * Ethics
Non-discrimination policy
Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap or disability, marital status or veteran status.
Message from the CEO
Thanks for visiting Beatrice Community Hospital's Web site. At BCHHC, we are determined to continue the tradition of caring that was begun on July 16, 1911. Our staff takes pride in the care they provide each patient. Our goal is to care for each one as we would our own family member.
I encourage you to explore our Web site to learn more about us and to discover the variety of services and programs we offer. If you have additional questions, or would like to speak to someone directly, don't hesitate to contact us.
Thanks again for your visit and your interest in BCHHC.
Thomas Sommers, CEO
Board of Directors
- John Rypma, Chairman
- Mitch Deines, Vice-chairman
- James Ensz, Secretary
- Roland Penner, Treasurer
- James Bauer
- Blake Butler, MD
- Darin Hoffman, MD
- LeRoy Janzen
- Barbara Johnsen
- Stephanie Perkins
- Bob Reed
- Brett Studley, MD
- Larry Thimm
- Eric Thomsen, MD
Legal Council
- James Nelson
Administrative Staff
- Thomas Sommers
Chief Executive Officer - Linda Ament
Compliance and Regulations Officer - Charlotte Campbell
Chief Human Resources Officer - Jon McMillan
Chief Financial Officer - Linda Ament
Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Medical Staff Officers
- Brett Studley, MD
President - Amanda McKinney, MD
Vice President - Deborah Gregory, DO
Secretary/Treasurer - Darin Hoffman, MD
Past President
A Tradition of Caring
Mennonite Hospital
In 1877, Mennonite families moved to the Beatrice area from Prussia. At a Thanksgiving celebration on Jan. 27, 1905, these families asked, "How can we thank God and our fellowman for the privilege of living in a free American and in this community?" Their answer: build a hospital. It would be called the Mennonite Deaconess Home and Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jansen donated a block of land located at the 1100 block on North 11th Street. By April 10, 1910, members of the Mennonite Church had raised $20,516.25. Construction began on a 30-bed hospital, with a total cost of approximately $25,000. When the hospital was dedicated on July 16, 1911, it was debt free. The hospital had a total of three staff members: two Deaconess Sisters, trained as nurses, and a custodian, who did a variety of tasks.
In the first year of operation, 177 patients were treated. The medicine cabinet contained six different types of medicine, one being Castor Oil. The hospital continued to serve the community, adding more sisters as the need increased.
Lutheran Hospital
In 1899, Dr. Harry Hepperlen started the first hospital known as the Hepperlen Hospital. It was bought by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from Dr. Hepperlin in 1914.
In 1918, the hospital known as the Lutheran Hospital was built on South Ninth Street. It later became a training school for nurses. In 1932, due to the depression, the hospital was turned over to the American Lutheran Church and its member churches. It continued to function as the Lutheran Hospital until 1982.
Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center
In the early 1980s, because of changing medical and economic conditions and the size of the community, it became apparent that Beatrice and its surrounding communities could not continue to support two individual hospitals. In 1982, the Lutheran Hospital was purchased by the Mennonite Hospital, and the combined hospitals became known as the Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center. In 1985, Health System of Beatrice Inc. was formed to advance the objectives and purposes of Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center Inc. by providing coordination, management and planning services to Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center Inc. and its affiliate corporate entities. The related entities and affiliate coporations under Health System of Beatrice are Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center Inc., Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation Inc., Homestead Village Inc., Parkview Village Inc., Physicians Building Inc. and Beatrice Retirement Inc. (the Villa at Flowing Springs). All of the corporations are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corproations except Physician Buildings Inc. All have unpaid volunteer board members.