When Polk County voters approved a public hospital district in 1978, Citizens Memorial Healthcare was simply a plan to build a regional hospital to address residents’ health care needs.
Bolivar-based CMH opened in 1982, with three physicians on staff.
“I think starting out when we did in the early 1980s it was unknown how successful we would be or whether we would be successful at all,” says Donald J. Babb, CEO and executive director.
But by 1984, the tax levy was suspended and the nonprofit CMH was supporting itself. The regional health system has consistently added services and clinics through the years and has grown to more than 1,700 employees and locations in 10 cities. CMH earned revenues of $283 million, up roughly 14 percent from 2010.
Recent additions include the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center, a medical office building and surgical center.
In the coming weeks, Babb says CMH has plans to start an expansion of its surgery center, adding 80,000 square feet and new services.
There also are plans for a hospitality house to support cancer and hospice patients.
“We have a lot on our plate,” says Babb, who has been at the helm of CMH since its inception.
He says consistent growth is the result of planning.
“When we do our strategic planning, we do a five-year plan, and every year we go back and evaluate whether we’ve met our goals or exceeded them and make our goals for the next year,” he says.
Planning isn’t necessarily easy, however, within the constantly changing landscape of the health care field, affected by factors such as health reform.
“We’ve always, like everyone, had a concern about what’s going to happen with health care as we move down the road, but you still have to care about the patients that you serve,” Babb says, adding that economic conditions also have presented challenges.
Babb says that while growth is often driven by community needs, physicians also play a role as they bring skills and services to CMH.
“A lot of new physicians bring new services and programs to us. It’s a combination of everything – new programs, new services and new physicians,” he says.
Babb says CMH’s community involvement is an extension of the health care services it provides. CMH offers free clinics and wellness programs, supports the Bolivar YMCA and offers a sports medicine program for area athletes.
“We really try to be a good partner in all the aspects of what we do. That’s pretty much a focus for us,” Babb says.
Looking back on all that CMH has accomplished to date, he is reflective.
“It’s really been a challenge to do what we’ve been able to do, but that’s something that I really wanted to do for the communities we serve,” Babb says. “It’s been a lot of fun for me.”
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