An Interactive History of SoHum Health
1948
The beginning
Dr. Leland Loewen and wife Elvira begin seeing patients in a motel room at the White Motel in Garberville.
1949
A new home
Dr. Loewen builds his home on Elm Street and adds a medical center with the emergency room facing Conger Street. Patients are kept overnight on occasion rather than making the long trip to Scotia Hospital via the Avenue of the Giants.
1952
6 new beds
Work begins on a 6 bed hospital to be attached to the medical center.
1953
Getting down to business
Dr. Loewen hires Roy Schmonk as clinic business administrator.
1955
Building the future
Dr. Jerold Phelps joins practice with Dr. Loewen.
1960
A new name
Dr. Loewen returns to training to become an orthopedic surgeon and sells the Garberville General Hospital to Dr. J. Phelps and R. Schmunk. The hospital name is changed to Southern Humboldt Community Hospital.
1960
Adding more capacity
Dr. Jack Pearson joins the medical staff.
1962
Expansion and growth
Construction begins on a new addition to the hospital financed with money from the community and a small business loan.
1964
New services
New hospital addition opens, adding surgery and obstetrics suites.
1978
Expanding the medical team
Dr. Bill Hunter joins the medical staff.
1979
Vote approved!
Voters approve a $1.35 million revenue bond to create a Hospital District.
1980
A new name
Hospital officially becomes the Southern Humboldt Community Hospital District.
1981
Like father like son
Dr. Mark Phelps joins his father and Dr. Robert Whitaker as practitioners at the Garberville Medical Center.
1982
Changes and remodeling
Birthing room is added, and the emergency room is remodeled.
1986
Community approval
Voters approve a parcel assessment tax to help improve the financial stability of the hospital.
1987
Another new team member
Dr. Huang joins the medical staff.
1988
A new initiaitve
The swing-bed program for short term convalescent care and rehabilitation is initiated.
1989
Mammography is here
Mammography service is begun at the hospital.
1990
The team grows yet again
Dr. Ron Hood joins the medical staff.
1992
Skilled nursing launched
State approves addition of an 8 bed distinct-part skilled nursing facility.
1993
Partnering for the future
Hospital District enters into ECH/PCH grant program with St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fortuna.
1995
The evolving District
Hospital assumes management to Southern Humboldt Community Clinic. State changes Hospital District name to Healthcare District. Dr. Mark Tong joins the medical staff.
1997
Honoring the past
Healthcare District governing board honors Dr. Jerold Phelps by renaming the district hospital as the Jerold E. Phelps Community Hospital.