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In April, Cass Regional Medical Center will celebrate 60 years as the county's hospital. The organization traces its roots to Harrisonville Memorial Hospital, which was opened just off the Harrisonville square in October 1946.

Community support

In 1960, the hospital board and members of the medical staff submitted a $400,000 bond issue to the people of Cass County, which passed Nov. 29, 1960, with an 83% margin. The bond issue was supplemented with a $50,000 commitment from the Memorial Hospital Association, a matching Hill Burton Act federal grant and private donations. Soon, plans for a new $1 million county hospital were underway.

The newly appointed county hospital trustees broke ground Feb. 26, 1962. Just over a year later, on April 6 and 7, 1963, Cass County Memorial Hospital was dedicated with great fanfare.

In 1983, a $2.5 million construction project expanded and modernized the facility, and in 1984, the hospital was renamed Cass Medical Center. Additional building projects took place in 1988 and 1991, and in 2008, the hospital was renamed Cass Regional Medical Center.

Carrying on the legacy

On Oct. 19, 2007, hospital and civic leaders broke ground on the current facility, which opened Sept. 30, 2009. Additional construction projects in 2015, 2016 and 2022 have paved the way for a new MRI machine, the patient care simulation lab, and the Mills Cancer and Rheumatology Center.

"As we celebrate our first 60 years, we look forward to carrying on the legacy that was handed down to us by the dedicated community leaders, employees, volunteers and trustees who have continually sought to improve access to medical care for the people of our region," said Chris Lang, CEO. "Seeing how far we've come, it's exciting to think where we'll be in another 60 years, and I thank our patients for their patronage and support. It's a privilege to care for the people of our region."

Categories: Hospital happenings