Community Hospital East

Community Hospital East is a hospital located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is part of the Community Health Network of hospitals in the Indianapolis area.

History
Community Hospital was founded on August 6, 1956, at the corner of 16th Street and Ritter Avenue on the east side of Indianapolis.

The hospital was the result of a massive fund-raising effort started out by volunteers who envisioned a hospital closer to the booming east side, instead of driving all the way downtown for healthcare. Volunteers began a house-to-house campaign, collecting loose pocket change. Soon funds poured in from busiesses and civic organizations. One media account called it "the swiftest, most effective fund-raising campaign of our time." The name "Community Hospital" was chosen by leaders because of the massive involvement of the neighbors and community of the east side to help build the hospital.

Ground was broken in 1954 at a 28-acre site donated by farmer Edward F. Gallahue. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by then Vice President Richard Nixon. When opened, the $5 million hospital came complete with the novelty of air conditioning, piped in oxygen and had 300 beds and 111 employees. W.C. McLin guided the opening of Community Hospital as its first administrator.

McLin's embrace of the exceptional patient experience was well ahead of its time. He established a program of patient representatives, who would guide patients through the health care system. He also attracted physicians who shared his vision of patient-focused care, and made sure their interests were well-represented among hospital leadership.

It wasn't long before the need for more space came calling. In 1964 "The Towers" were opened. The building's radial design - with two cicular towers allowing central nursing stations to observe patients at all times - was dubbed the "hospital of the Space Age" and was one of the first of its kind in the nation.

Throughout the next few years, Community underwent many expansions and upgrades, including the opening of psychiatric inpatient units, a coronary care unit, and specialized services including ambulatory care and a cardiac catheterization lab. In 1972, Allen Hicks was chosen to lead Community following the death of W.C. McLin in 1971. In 1974, Building 3 opened at Community, dedicated to W.C. McLin, adding 250 more beds.

More additions included the Hook Rehabilitation Center, Gallahue Mental Health Center, pain and cancer centers, plus new surgery suites and education facilities. In 1981, a new laboratory opened, along with a medical office building. Community, at this time, was the second largest hospital in the city of Indianapolis with approximately 800 beds, and was considered one of the leading health-care facilities in the state.

William E. Corley arrived at Community in 1985 as the CEO after Allen Hicks left in 1983. A new satellite hospital for Community was planned in 1982 on the north side of Indianapolis. What is now Community Hospital North opened in 1985 and has far out-grown its satellite status. The Same-Day Surgery Center opened at Community East in 1988 and a new main lobby, entrance and professional building opened in 1991.

Community East marked the birth of its 100,000 baby in 1993. In 1996 Community East adopted the Family Rooms concept in the maternity unit. The unit features LDRP - labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum - rooms, allowing mothers and babies to remain in the same room throughout their stay.

The Indiana Surgery Center opened on the Community East campus in 1999 and is part of the Community Health Network. It is an outpatient surgery center formed through the partnerships of a group of surgeons. In 2004 Community East opened the Center for Interventional Radiology, one of the first centers of its kind in the country and the only one in the Midwest.

Current status
Community East is currently lead by President Anita Harden; William Corley is currently the CEO of Community Health Network. Community East continues to prosper and experience growth. Community East is recognized as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals for Cardiovascular Services, a benchmark hospital for intensive care services and one of the state’s premier stroke programs, among other accomplishments.

The hospital is completing a multi-million dollar interior renovation and is in the works of constructing a $7 million cancer center addition. The 12,000-square-foot facility will be completed in early 2007. Community East celebrated its 50th anniversary in August of 2006, and the hospital continues on its original philosophy of providing the hightest quality care and providing exceptional experiences for patients and their families.