Portneuf Medical Center History

historic hospital photo

Healthcare has come a long way since iron lungs and ether. Pocatello has seen a tremendous evolution since the first hospital opened in 1905. Fortunately, the goal of our hospitals has always been to deliver state-of-the-art service to the residents of Southeast Idaho. Today, Portneuf Medical Center continues to deliver compassionate, high quality care with an eye on the future and an ear to the evolving needs of our community.

1905:
Pocatello General Hospital was incorporated.
1906:
Three other hospital facilities are in operation including the McMillan House, the Burbank House, and one run by the Oregon Short Line.
1907:
The first patient is admitted to Pocatello General Hospital
1911:
The first commencement of nurses graduating Pocatello General.
1915:
20 Catholic Sisters of Mercy begin caring for the ill out of a local home.
1918:
St. Anthony Mercy Hospital opens with 50 beds and 18 nursing students.
1919:
Pocatello General Hospital expands and is run jointly by the City and County. Lynn Brothers' Hospital is incorporated.
1939:
Lynn Brothers' private hospital buys state-of-the-art x-ray machine. City of Pocatello got out of the hospital business and turns control over to the County Commissioners. They in turn established Pocatello General's first Board of Directors.
1942:
St. Anthony Mercy Hospital undergoes the first of four major renovations.
1950:
A bond issue is passed for the construction of new county hospital called Bannock Memorial Hospital. Construction begins for the $1.8 million facility
1952:
Bannock Memorial Hospital opens, providing 101 beds. Idaho State University incorporates a Nursing Program.
1970:
The Intermountain Cancer Center becomes part of Bannock Memorial Hospital and offers revolutionary cobalt radiation therapy.
1976:
The Sisters of Mercy sell St. Anthony Community Hospital to Intermountain Health Care.
1981:
Construction of the $18 million Pocatello Regional Medical Center begins.
1982:
Bannock Memorial puts in place a new $11 million pediatric unit. Bannock Memorial Hospital is changed to Bannock Regional Medical Center. On June 10, 33 patients from St. Anthony Hospital are transferred to Pocatello Regional Medical Center as a new era in hospital care begins.
1986:
PRMC introduces a new 12-bed Woman's Center.
1989:
Pocatello Regional adds a very sophisticated Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography imager to their diagnostic services.
1992:
PRMC builds a $2 million sports medicine/orthopedics rehabilitation center near Holt Arena.
2002:
Pocatello Regional Medical Center and bannock Regional Medical Center merge and create the city's third largest employer.
2004:
Portneuf Medical Center unveils plans to create a single, consolidated campus on the current east campus by 2015.
2005:
The hospital opens a state of the art Heart and Vascular Center on the east campus.
2006:
Portneuf accelerates its construction plans to create a single campus by 2012.
2009:
Portneuf Medical Center converts from a county-owned facility to a medical center jointly owned and operated by Legacy Hospital Partners and the Portneuf Health Care Foundation.