Marlette Community Hospital, now Marlette Regional Hospital (MRH), opened on June 22, 1951, with 22 beds, after a construction cost of $297,000.

Since that humble beginning, MRH has grown, accumulating many “firsts:” The “Marlette Amendment” to the federal Hill Burton Act permitted federal grant dollars to be awarded to non-county seat communities for the construction of hospitals. This amendment directly facilitated the construction of many more hospitals across the country.

MRH’s Extended Care Facility was the first hospital-attached long-term care facility in Michigan. Our ECF is now a 43-bed, skilled nursing facility – the highest level of licensure possible for a nursing home. Our staff continues to earn exceptional recognitions from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

When the Hannah D. Wolfe Retirement Residence opened in 1969, it was the region’s first hospital-owned retirement residence for independent seniors. Thirty-seven years later, the Residence continues to serve as a valuable resource for independent senior accommodations.

The 1980s saw the hospital’s innovative development of medical practices in surrounding communities – today an integrated network of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Today, Marlette Regional Hospital has thriving medical practices in five distinct communities, serving three counties.

Our United Hospice Service began its mission in 1983 – the first hospice service in the region. Today, with the addition of a beautiful Hospice Residence, MRH’s United Hospice Service is the oldest and largest hospice in the area, offering hope and inspiration to families

In 1993, the hospital constructed a new emergency department, lab and radiology facilities after a very successful community fund drive. The hospital’s Emergency Department remains one of the busiest in the Thumb and, because of the generous availability of skilled staff and technology, completely cares for over 96 percent of its patients without having to transfer them to another hospital.

In 1995, MRH opened the region’s first and only inpatient center for intensive rehabilitation, offering a spectrum of diagnostic, medical and therapy services designed for patients with neurological, orthopedic and degenerative conditions.

Marlette Regional Hospital forged an innovative relationship with St. Mary’s of Michigan in 2002, to bring cancer treatment expertise to the area. The Seton Cancer Institute at MRH offers radiation therapy and chemotherapy services, providing cancer patients local convenience and leading-edge treatment technologies in the same location.

However, what's often lost in a recounting of our history is an appreciation for what happened before the hospital opened. Seven years earlier, a group of civic-minded people believed that Marlette deserved a hospital. After the opening dedication over 50 years ago, some of these volunteers remained associated with the hospital. Some quietly resumed their private lives. But all set an example of the dedication, stewardship, philanthropy and community service that are still vital and modeled by our employees and medical staff today.

• Marlette Regional Hospital opened for business at 10:00 a.m. on June 22, 1951, reported hospital administrator, Oran Hudson.

• The $300,000 hospital, which opened June 22, 1951, was completed after nearly eight years of fund raising drives. Over 4,000 people attended the dedication ceremony on June 10, 1951.

• One June 30, 1951, Marlette Regional Hospital had completed its first week of service to the community with a total of eighteen patients admitted and one baby born.

• The first automobile accident patient admitted was Dr. Robert Biggs as he was on his way to see patients. Fortunately, he was only slightly injured.

• Mr. Bert Robinson was the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Marlette Regional Hospital Foundation since its incorporation in 1944.

• The Marlette Hospital Auxiliary started its second year March 5, 1952 with a membership of 271 and closed the year March 4 with 407 members recorded March 26, 1953.