Our History
The first hospital in Indian River County opened in 1932 as a private institution owned and operated by Garnett L. Radin, a registered nurse living in Vero Beach. In 1940, the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce established the not-for-profit Indian River Hospital Association, Inc., which helped Mrs. Radin secure financial assistance to maintain and expand the services of her 21-bed and 5-bassinet hospital. In 1945, Mrs. Radin sold the hospital to the Association, becoming the hospital superintendent after she returned from service in the Navy.
In 1952, the hospital, then called Indian River Memorial Hospital, became the smallest hospital – with 35 beds – to be accredited by the Joint Committee on Accreditation of Hospitals. A special act of the 1959 session of the Florida Legislature established the Indian River County Hospital District and created a Board of Trustees with seven publicly elected members, which took control of the hospital, laying the foundation for building a healthcare complex offering extended healthcare services. Over the next 25 years, the hospital rapidly expanded to meet the growing healthcare needs of Indian River County.
As the healthcare landscape continued to evolve in the county and nationally, the trustees of the Hospital District concluded that a different system of governance for the hospital was needed to assure its financial sustainability and the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare to the county. In 1984, the Trustees relinquished management of the hospital and leased it to Indian River Memorial Hospital, Inc., a community not-for-profit corporation, and created an Indigent Care Agreement to assist with funding for uninsured residents of Indian River County.
Also in 1984, the District began funding healthcare services for underserved populations in Indian River County, which were delivered not only by IRMC, but by other organizations as well.
Our timeline
The first hospital in Indian River County was opened by Garnett L. Radin, RN
Indian River Memorial Hospital became the smallest hospital – with 35 beds – to be accredited by the Joint Committee on Accreditation of Hospitals.
A special act of the 1959 session of the Florida Legislature established the Indian River County Hospital District and created a Board of Trustees with seven publicly elected members, which governed the hospital, laying the foundation for building a healthcare complex offering extended healthcare services.
Over the next 25 years, the hospital rapidly expanded to meet the growing healthcare needs of Indian River County. As the healthcare landscape continued to evolve in the county and nationally, the trustees of the Hospital District concluded that a different system of governance for the hospital was needed to assure its financial sustainability and the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare.
The District Trustees relinquished management of the hospital and leased it to Indian River Memorial Hospital, a community not-for-profit corporation, and created an Indigent Care Agreement to assist with funding healthcare services for underserved populations in Indian River County, which were delivered not only by Indian River Medical Center (now Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital), but by other organizations as well, and we are still doing this today.
In addition, the District agreed to reimburse the county for a portion of Medicaid amounts, which it pays annually to the State of Florida.
The District and Indian River Medical Center began a program to provide prenatal and obstetrical care to indigent residents of the county named Partners in Women’s Health. This initiative was taken because a high percentage of births at the hospital were to indigent mothers – potentially a high-risk population, and a substantial number of these mothers were presenting for delivery to the hospital Emergency Room without any prenatal care.
The District completed construction of the Human Services Building on the hospital campus.
Also in 1987, the District began contributing toward the Indian River County Public Health Unit’s (IRCPHU) primary care budget.
The District and the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast entered into an agreement to provide home health services.
The District and Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast entered into an agreement for mobile health Services.
The District agreed to fund the We Care Program to help improve access to primary care and dental care, and other healthcare services.
Also in 1992, the District began funding for dental care through the Public Health Department.
The District began funding the operation of the Fellsmere Medical Center, which is now Treasure Coast Community Health Center.
The District entered into a lease with Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast to establish and operate a Hospice House on District owned property.
Also, in 1996, The District leased a portion of the former Gifford Middle Six school to establish and operate a health center.
In addition, the District began funding the Mental Health Association to provide services to the indigent.
The District began funding a cooperative educational effort via the Center for Emotional and Behavior Health for similar services.
The District funded a new building to relocate the existing Gifford Health Center.
The District joined the McCabe Foundation and the Prentiss Foundation to develop The University of Florida Center for Psychiatry and Addiction to provide services to the indigent of the county through the Health Department and the Mental Health Association.
Also in 2008, the District began funding the Mental Health Collaborative which helps provide a seamless delivery of mental health services for county residents.
The District funding care of the indigent at New Horizons of the Treasure Coast.
The District sold 14.5 acres, inclusive of the Hospice House and vacant land on 37th street, to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation. This landmark transaction marks a significant milestone in securing the future of healthcare services for the community.
