About CMH > History

There have been many changes to Culbertson Memorial Hospital 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 23-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, Culbertson maintains a 24-hour-a-day emergency and lab services department, sophisticated radiology unit, multiple out-patient clinics, a surgical suite, therapy services, wound clinic and a cardiac rehabilitation unit. Culbertson Memorial Hospital has family practice offices in Astoria, Beardstown and Rushville.

At a time when many rural communities in the U. S. have little or no access to local healthcare, Culbertson Memorial Hospital has three area physicians, two physician assistants, and two nurse practitioners serving on its medical staff. Additionally, a growing 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 as 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.

In 1998, Culbertson Memorial Hospital ventured into another new arena by constructing Culbertson Gardens. This 23-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.

Most recently, through the financial support of Elmer Hugh Taylor, Culbertson Memorial Hospital built a modern, 9,500 square foot, well-equipped Family Practice Clinic in Beardstown. Taylor Clinic will serve the Beardstown and Cass & Schuyler County areas for many years 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 hum 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. If fact, it's his basic tenet of care and compassion that is the driving force of our mission today.

With this kind of support, is there any doubt as why we always say, CMH…Where Healthcare and Community Come Together.