History
1951
Wabash General Hospital opened in spring 1951 with 52 beds and 18 bassinets.
A formal dedication ceremony took place on June 3 that same year.
1954
After only three years of operation, the new hospital received full accreditation
by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
1960-1975
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, various renovations and improvements allowed
Wabash General to keep up with the changes in medicine and medical technology.
That included creation of an intensive coronary care/recovery room in
1971; roof replacement, cafeteria redecoration, and repairing of the building’s
exterior in 1972; and construction of an ancillary building to house physician
offices, the radiology, lab, admitting, and emergency room departments in 1975.
1979
The hospital facility no longer met state building requirements and life-safety
regulations. The administrator and Board of Directors compared the costs
and benefits of renovating the current building to those of constructing
a new hospital. Cost estimates showed that renovation would approach 75
percent of the cost of a new structure. The group decided to build instead
of renovate.
1980-1989
The new decade began with planning for a 38,000 square foot, 64-bed replacement
hospital. Groundbreaking for the one-story facility occurred on August
22, 1982, with a formal dedication on October 16, 1983. A variety of grants,
loans, and donations helped fund construction, with the hospital’s
Auxiliary raising $85,000 in support of equipping the building.
The WGH Home Health Agency was created in 1981, and in November 1987, Alliant Management Services of Louisville, Kentucky became managing agent of Wabash General Hospital.
1990-1999
Wabash General continued to provide high-quality care for the community
throughout the 1990s. On March 19, 1999, the hospital broke ground on
a $4.5 million renovation project. This project moved outpatient services
to the front of the building, consolidated departments that were spread
throughout the hospital, and provided for more efficient services for
patients and visitors. There were approximately 8,000 square feet of new
construction and 18,000 square feet of renovation completed.
2000
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the building and renovation project took
place on May 10.
2002
The hospital experienced significant clinical growth throughout the 2000s.
On June 12, Wabash General’s Ambulance Service received Advanced
Life Support (ALS) certification. This allowed a licensed EMT-Paramedic
to lead the ALS ambulance team and increase the level of emergency care
available.
2003
Wabash General earned designation as a critical access hospital.
2005
Mt. Carmel native, Dr. Julko Fullop, returned to Wabash General Hospital.
He received one of the first medical school scholarships offered by Wabash
General and returned to honor his commitment of service to the community.
Dr. Fullop specialized in orthopedic surgery and helped create the hospital’s
orthopedic surgery department.
2007
Wabash General added a stand-alone convenient care after-hours clinic in
the multi-specialty clinic area. That same year, Wabash General partnered
with three other area hospitals to provide a mobile mammography service.
Additionally, Dr. Maqbool Ahmed began offering an oncology/hematology clinic.
2011
In July, a new medical office building opened across the street from the
main hospital. This provided space for the growing Orthopaedic Surgery
& Sports Medicine Department. It also became home to the Rehabilitation
Services Department.
2013
A new entrance to the hospital grounds was added as well as the south portico.
The portico made it easier to access mammography, MRI, and PET-CT scan units.
Wabash General Hospital implemented electronic medical records during this time and received two outstanding national awards in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award was given to 225 hospitals nationwide, including WGH. The Leapfrog Group handed out 90 Top Hospital Awards in the U.S. and again Wabash General was one of those recipients. Both of these awards were for quality of service.
2014
Wabash General Hospital entered into an affiliation agreement with Deaconess
Health System in Evansville, Indiana. Affiliation allowed the hospitals
to work together on important initiatives like population health management,
staff and physician education, and providing seamless transitions of care
from the doctor’s office to medical specialists and advanced procedures.
Wabash General also expanded their Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Clinic to include locations in Fairfield and Carmi, Illinois.
2016
On April 1, Wabash General Hospital opened an Orthopaedic Surgery &
Sports Medicine Clinic in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Wabash General received designation as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
2018
Becker’s Hospital Review named Wabash General Hospital as one of
the “66 Critical Access Hospitals to Know in 2018.” HCAHPS
recognized Wabash with the MBQIP Quality Award, Star Rating Performer,
Top Performance Award, and Quality of Care Outcomes Award. Wabash General
also received the "Excellence in Innovation Award" for their
Joint Camp.
In October, the Wabash General Hospital Foundation held its first annual donor appreciation event.
Primary care services expanded to nearby Edwards County, Illinois with the opening of Albion Medical Clinic in December.
On December 31, long time President and CEO, Jay Purvis, retired from Wabash General Hospital.
2019
Karissa Turner became the hospital's new president & CEO on January 1.
Another off-site orthopaedic clinic opened at Clay County Hospital Medical Clinic located in Flora, Illinois, on May 1.
Wabash General Hospital received the 2019 Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the fourth year in a row, recognizing the dedication and focus on patients' perspectives of their care in the hospital.
2020
An extension has been added to the front of the WGH Grayville Clinic, which
will be the new home of providers’ offices. This will allow additional
space for patient rooms to make a total of six exam rooms. Wabash General
Hospital has been providing primary care service to the Grayville community
since 2000.
Wabash General Hospital was recently named as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Small Business Advocacy Council and Best Companies Group.
Wabash General Hospital was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2020 Best Places to work in Healthcare. This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide.
In November, Wabash General Hospital broke ground on a two-story, 32,000-square-foot medical office building that consolidates several physician offices into one building conveniently located adjacent to the hospital. The addition will provide the setting for a comfortable, modern delivery of oncology, specialty services and primary care services.
Wabash General Hospital achieves ‘5-Star’ HCAHPS rating, honored for excellence in quality of care.
2021
WGH received Best Place to Work in Illinois, 2021 Women's Choice Award
as one of America's Best Hospital's for Emergency Care, 2021 Modern Healthcare's
Best Place to Work, and NRC Excellence Award.
The WGH Cafeteria closed for remodel and rebranding to Remedies Café and the gift shop closed for remodel and rebranding to The Shoppe at 1418.
Dr. Laura Zigler started seeing patients at general surgery.
In December of 2021, mammography was moved in-house.
2022
Dr. Nicole Fyie, Family Practice Physician, joined the WGH Family and started
seeing patients in Mt. Carmel and Albion, Illinois.
WGH received the Top 100 Critical Access Hospital from The Chartis Center for Rural Health. To determine the 2022 list, the Chartis Center used the Hospital Strength Index, which assesses performance in eight areas: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and financial efficiency. We also received Best Place to Work in Illinois, Excellence in Patient Experience Award, 2022-2023 High Performing Hospital for Hip Fractures from U.S. News & World Report, and Overall Service Award from Alliant Management Services.
In April, Casey Ikemire, FNP-BC started providing aesthetic services (Botox and fillers) at WGH Primary Care - Oak Street Location.
WGH Foundation hosted its very first Summer Soiree and raised $35,000 for the Medical Student Scholarship Fund. Rob Coleman was named Community Person of the Year.
Dr. Lawrence Jennings received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Physicians.
On November 4th, we held a ribbon cutting and open house for the Bolden Medical Office Building, Remedies Café, and The Shoppe at 1418. Dr. Julko Fullop and the WGH Board of Directors also received keys to the City of Mt. Carmel.
2023
In January 2023, WGH began offering Chiropractic Care as a new service with Dr. Lawrence Speir.
Dr. Brett Weinzapfel joined Wabash General Hospital to provide Orthopaedic & Spine services.
Wabash General Hospital received the 2023 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience, earned a 5-Star Rating from the National Rural Rating System, was ranked Top Three in Illinois for Joint Replacement Surgery by Healthgrades, and was named one of the Best Hospitals for Physician Communication by Becker’s Hospital Review. Wabash General Hospital was awarded Best Place to Work in Illinois and Best Place to Work in Modern Healthcare.
Karissa Turner, President & CEO of Wabash General Hospital, was named President-Elect of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN)
In June, the Wabash General Hospital Foundation hosted its second Summer Soiree event. Allan Kidd was announced as Community Person of the Year.
Wabash General Hospital became the new site for the Southeast Area Health Education Center.
The Lawrenceville Medical Clinic opened as a new location for Orthopaedic, Sports Medicine, and Podiatry services in October 2023.
Wabash General Hospital received the Rural Health Network Development Grant to help with the Addressing Gaps in Comprehensive Care (AGCC) Project.
2024
Wabash General Hospital was awarded Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the top hospitals for physician communication.
In February WGH opened a new EMS training center at 1002 Market Street, Mt. Carmel, IL.
Karissa Turner was elected to the board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA).
Wabash General Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for CMS Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
Expansion and renovations began at the WGH Albion Medical Clinic.
The WGH Foundation held their 3rd annual Soiree. Mary Lou Jeffers received the WGH Foundation Community Person of the Year Award.
Wabash General Hospital was honored with the Supply Chain Excellence - Committed Member Award.
Wabash General Hospital Recognized as Best Place to Work in Illinois for 6th Straight Year.
WGH was ranked 9th in the medium employer category.
Dr. Umesh Jairath joins Wabash General Hospital, providing Cardiology services.Wabash General Hospital recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Modern Healthcare in 2024.
Wabash General Hospital recognized by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) as a 2024 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Award recipient. ICAHN recognized Wabash General Hospital for outstanding performance in Quality and Overall Performance – Top 5 ICAHN Member Hospital
Wabash General Hospital received the Rural Health Network Development Grant for the Addressing Gaps in Comprehensive Care Project, led by the Comprehensive Rural Health Care Network of Southern Illinois. The network includes Wabash General Hospital, Wabash General Hospital EMS, Wabash General Hospital Rural Health Clinics, Wabash Community Health Center, Wabash County Health Department, and Comprehensive Dental Care of Mt. Carmel.
The National Rural Health Association named Wabash General Hospital a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital for Quality.
WGH announced the partnership with Evansville Surgical Association for the addition of new general surgeons: Dr. Katharine Lasher and Dr. Samir Gupta.
Becker’s Hospital Review recognizes WGH as one of the top recommended Hospitals in every state for Illinois.
Wabash General Hospital was honored to receive recognition from Becker's Hospital Review as one of the 464 hospitals that patients would highly recommend. This prestigious list highlights the commitment to quality care and patient satisfaction at WGH.
In November, WGH received the 90th percentile of patient experience from NRC Health.
Dr. Tejas Patel, Psychiatrist, joined the WGH team, providing behavioral health services at the Wabash Community Health Center.
2025
Wabash General Hospital named one of the 2025 Healthcare Innovation’s Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare. This recognition, in partnership with Best Companies Group, highlights organizations that excel in creating excellent workplaces in the healthcare industry.
Wabash General Hospital announces that it has been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing dedication and excellence in rural healthcare, as well as being named to the National Rural Honor Roll.
The Wabash General Hospital hosts their 4th Annual Soiree, recognizing Wayne & Mary Lou Walden as the Community Person of the Year.
In March, the WGH auxiliary celebrated their 75th anniversary with an open house.
Wabash General Hospital was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. This is the seventh consecutive year of receiving this award.
Modern healthcare selected Wabash General hospital as one of the 2025 Best Places to Work.
Dr. Jason Sigler begins providing Chiropractic care at Wabash General Hospital
In June, Wabash General Hospital was proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious five-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing excellence in rural healthcare.
Wabash General Hospital was honored to receive recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the 374 cleanest hospitals in the nation. This prestigious list highlights WGH's dedication to maintaining a clean and safe environment for patients, reflecting their commitment to high-quality care.
Dr. Christopher Magulick joins WGH, practicing Primary Care at the Grayville Medical Clinic.
Wabash General Hospital announced that it has been recognized as a 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or a hospital. This achievement reflects Wabash General’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience.
Dr. Garrett Ni is welcomed to WGH, providing Ear, Nose, & Throat and Facial Plastics & Reconstructive surgery services.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and Wabash General Hospital announce that their joint paramedic education initiative has received a significant endorsement. The program earned a Letter of Review from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions, officially greenlighting enrollment for the inaugural class in the fall.
Dr. Sydney Hadley joins WGH, providing Primary Care Services.
Wabash General Hospital opens the WGH Olney Medical Clinic.
Dr. Alex Waldherr joins WGH’s Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine team.
Wabash General Hospital welcomes Dr. Vikas Dhawan, hand specialist, to the Orthopaedic team.
In August Wabash General Hospital’s Remedies opened Remedies Cafe + Coffee Bar.
Dr. Eva Lehtonen joins Wabash General Hospital Orthopaedic team, specializing in upper extremities.
Wabash General Hospital ranked No. 26 in the nation in the Provider/Insurer category of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work for 2025.
Wabash General Hospital announced it has earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and/or Patient Perspective.
