| 1920 |
Downey Hospital opened on the second floor of the Willeford Building, formerly a hotel, on Crawford (now Downey) Avenue. The hospital had six beds and two doctors on staff, Dr. Earl Welcome and Dr. A.G. Haygood. The first recorded treatments were for two boys, one who suffered a broken leg and the other a broken arm. In the 1920s and 30s, the hospital struggled financially and opened, closed and changed ownership several times.
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| 1922 |
A violent explosion at a popular hangout, a local service station, resulted in the deaths of nine Downey residents and serious injuries to 20 others. Downey Hospital, also known for a period as Virginia Hospital, was credited with saving many lives. The incident also underscored the need for a larger capacity hospital.
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| 1924 |
Downey Hospital moved to a new, one-story facility at 148 East 5th Street. The facility began with a 15-patient capacity, an operating room and an ambulance.
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| 1933 |
A group of five doctors, headed by Dr. Welcome, purchased the hospital and renamed it Downey Community Hospital.
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| 1938 |
First wing addition was completed. This separated the maternity and obstetrics wards from the main operative room and added two four-bed wards and four private rooms.
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| 1945 |
Eight-room unit added with completion of a new wing. Capacity grew to 52 beds to keep pace with the community's population boom.
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| 1947 |
Property and duplexes across the street from the hospital were purchased and converted into administrative and accounting offices and provided space for the hospital to open its first emergency department with around-the-clock care.
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| 1950 |
Modern X-ray equipment installed.
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| 1956 |
First meeting of Board of Trustees for Downey Community Hospital as a newly incorporated non-profit hospital. In December of this same year, Downey is incorporated as a city.
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| 1957 |
Charter membership tea held for Downey Community Hospital Guild. In January 1959 this group changed its name to the Downey Community Hospital Auxiliary.
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| 1964 |
Plans were passed to start construction of a new private, non-profit hospital
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| 1969 |
Downey Community Hospital moved from its 49-bed facility to its current facility on Brookshire Avenue, which was then licensed for 152 beds. The day after opening, eight surgeries were performed. Within one week, the hospital was full.
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| 1975 |
"Women's Auxiliary Pavilion" dedicated the round wing of the hospital
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1975
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Memorial Trust Foundation , a fundraising division, established.
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| 1976 |
Hand Rehabilitation Center and Spine Rehabilitation Center opened.
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| 1976 |
Outpatient surgical center was dedicated, becoming one of the first outpatient surgical centers in California to be linked to a hospital.
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| 1978 |
First CT Scanner purchased. MRI services introduced.
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| 1983 |
Anderson Critical Care Unit dedicated.
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| 1985 |
Formation of DCH Insurance Services (now DRMC Insurance Services).
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| 1987 |
Heart Center, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Definitive Observation Unit wing opened.
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| 1990 |
Downey Community HospitalInsurance Services launches Golden Outlook health plan, a medicare option plan. Family Birth Center dedicated.
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| 1990 |
Rio Hondo Hospital (RHH) on Telegraph Road and nearby medical building purchased. Also that year DCH Insurance Services launches Golden Outlook.
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| 1992 |
Acute Rehabilitation services opened at RHH.
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| 1993 |
Transitional Care Unit (TCU) opened at RHH. In 1998 the TCU moved to Downey Community Hospital.
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| 1995 |
Purchased Health Services building on Telegraph Road. Personnel, Accounting, Finance and Education department relocated to the second and third floors.
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| 1998 |
New Emergency Care Center opened. Expanded facility grows from 2,600 square feet to more than 8,000 square feet.
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| 1999 |
DCH identity changed to Downey Regional Medical Center. This total healthcare system had grown to include a 199-bed hospital and DRMC Insurance Services.
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| 2000 |
DRMC celebrates 80 years of service. Medical staff has grown to exceed 500.
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| 2001 |
DRMC breaks ground for the three-story Downey Regional Medical Plaza.
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| 2003 |
Downey Regional Medical Plaza Opens.
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| 2006 |
Downey Regional Medical Center celebrates 50 years as a not-for-profit, community hospital.
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