Van Diest Medical Center has been the premier healthcare facility in Hamilton County, IA, for over 100 years. The original structure was constructed just east of the present building, and opened its doors to the public in 1903. After a brief operational interruption, St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital of Dubuque and the Sisters of Mercy took over the facility. In 1927, the Sisters of Mercy threatened to abandon the building unless a new and modern structure was built. Because no action was taken, the sisters abandoned the hospital and it was torn down in 1930.
Just one year later, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors ordered an election on a $100,000 bond issue to build a hospital to be constructed by the county. The bond issue passed and the county named the first hospital board. The new hospital would be constructed to care for 28 patients. This countywide effort resulted in the hospital becoming Hamilton County Public Hospital. The new building was constructed on a 3-acre tract, just west of the original building.
In the 1950s, the hospital averaged 42 patients and had even accommodated up to 50 at a time. It was time again to ask the community to help with a building expansion. With the community and federal funds the new wing was constructed. It housed patient rooms, a new kitchen, laundry and storage space.
In March 1977, the county broke ground on another expansion for an ancillary wing. This area would house Radiology, Lab and Emergency Services. At this same time the Hamilton County Hospital Auxiliary was formed. Since its beginning year, the Auxiliary members have worked to contribute equipment and other needed items to the hospital that may not normally be in the hospitals budget. They have contributed to the purchase of isolate units for the nursery, a fetal heart monitor, new furniture for the lobby of the hospital and family room. In 1980, the hospital gift shop was remodeled by the Auxiliary, and continues to be staffed by volunteers.
In 1989, the hospital completed the ambulance garage and expanded the radiology department. This expansion included the CT scanner suite, mammography suite, and ultrasound suite. In May 1989, the hospital broke ground for a new three-story addition. This addition included a receiving dock, engineering shop, and space for a pharmacy on the ground level. It added surgical services to the first floor, and 20 private rooms with private bathrooms on the second floor. A new nurse's station was constructed to tie the 1950s addition together with the new 1989 addition.
