Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center is the largest rural hospital in Southeast Nebraska . The 25-bed, full-service 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 over 150 communities in southeast Nebraska and northern Kansas were treated and received Skilled Healthcare Close to Home .
Message from the CEO :
Thanks for visiting Beatrice Community Hospital 's website. 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 website 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
A Tradition of Caring
Mennonite Hospital
In 1877, Mennonite families moved to the Beatrice area from Prussia . At a Thanksgiving celebration on January 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 11 th 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 as total of 3 staff members: 2 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 6 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 Hepperlin started the first hospital known as the Hepperlin 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 9 th 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
In the early 1980's, 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 .
