238 S. Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Telephone: (217) 322-4321
Fax: (217) 322-2608
About CMH > History
There have been many changes to CMH since Dr. Frederick Culbertson first opened the doors on February 15, 1921. Incredibly, on that day more than 2000 people stood in line for hours to tour the building. Many of them carried donations of canned fruit, vegetables, and blankets—simple expressions of their support of a daring venture to bring modern medicine to their hometown. Although there was no guarantee his small hospital would succeed, Dr. Culbertson wanted his patients to receive the best care possible. Therefore, with only a small staff of well-trained nurses and his wife Sarah at his side, Dr. Culbertson took a leap of faith that is still benefiting area citizens today.
From those modest beginnings, Culbertson Memorial Hospital has grown and changed with the times. Today, it is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital that employs more than 180 staff members who provide round the clock care and support services for patients from Schuyler, Cass, Brown, and southern Fulton Counties in Illinois. Over the years, three major renovations have both modernized the building and dramatically altered its appearance.
In addition to its in-patient services, CMH maintains a 30-bed Long Term Care Unit, a 24-hour-a-day emergency department, sophisticated lab and radiology units, an out-patient clinic, a surgical suite, a therapy services department, and a cardiac rehabilitation unit.
At a time when many rural communities in the U. S. have little or no access to local healthcare, Culbertson Memorial Hospital has five area physicians serving on its medical staff, and a sixth due to arrive in 2008. Additionally, a number of regional specialty physicians commute to Rushville each week to offer their expertise in the fields of cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, gastroenterology and more.
Although much has changed since those early days, other aspects of local healthcare remain the same. In 1986, with an ever-present eye on the future, Culbertson Memorial Hospital constructed a Medical Arts Building to help attract new physicians and dentists to the area. Remarkably, this well-equipped 6,000 square-foot building was funded entirely through donations from local citizens. Like those early visitors who came bearing homemade gifts on the hospital’s opening day, community members were still willing, 65 years later, to invest generously in the future of hometown healthcare. They continue to offer support today, through volunteer work and donations to our various fund-raising campaigns.
With this kind of support, is there any doubt as to why we always say, CMH…Where Healthcare and Community Come Together.
In 1998, Culbertson Memorial Hospital ventured into another new arena by constructing Culbertson Gardens. This 24-unit apartment complex is designed for active seniors who are seeking a worry-free, independent lifestyle. These spacious apartments, combined with a wide range of personal services, will assure area seniors of a quality living experience for generations to come.
If Dr. Culbertson could walk the halls of CMH today, the changes would astound him. The building has grown, services have increased, and modern miracle machines blink and whir in each department. However, other things haven’t changed at all. Dr. Culbertson’s commitment to provide the community with quality hometown health care continues today. In fact, it’s his basic tenet of care and compassion that is the driving force of our mission today.
Culbertson Memorial Hospital—Where Healthcare and Community Come Together.
Culbertson Memorial Hospital
238 S. Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Telephone: (217) 322-4321
Fax: (217) 322-2608