Our Journey
A century of compassionate care, growth, and innovation
City Hospital Completed
The 35-bed City Hospital officially opened on Monday, August 2, 1926. Three surgeries were performed earlier that day, followed by an evening dedication ceremony attended by more than 5,000 people. Miss Mayme Ratcliffe served as hospital superintendent.
Nursing Students' House
In May of 1930, this house was used for housing nursing students who received their training at City Hospital. A total of 64 students graduated from this school of nursing before its closing in 1934 due to a lack of instructors.
City Hospital Expansion
By 1946, City Hospital had outgrown its original facilities. After considerable public controversy, a city ordinance was passed approving an expansion to accommodate 100 to 125 patients. The facility became known as the Bowling Green–Warren County Hospital.
First Cancer Clinic
On October 7, 1946, the City Hospital established its first-ever cancer clinic. From Sept. 1, 1947, to Aug. 1, 1948, 128 patients received X-ray therapy, and more than 300 patients were served overall. Funding was provided through donations from the local Community Chest and the American Cancer Society.
Blood Bank Established
In 1949, City Hospital took steps toward establishing an adequate blood bank under the leadership of Dr. John C. McKissick. On April 21, Dr. McKissick became the first donor in the newly launched program. By noon, 58 pints of blood had been collected.
Second Expansion Dedication
On September 10, 1952, dedication and cornerstone ceremonies for the addition were conducted, drawing approximately 1,800 people. By October 1953, the expansion was complete, adding 75 patient beds, two emergency rooms, an autopsy room and morgue, operating rooms, and a pharmacy.
Cancer Clinic Recognized
The City-County Hospital's Cancer Clinic was recognized for its important work in combating cancer in Southcentral Kentucky. The clinic was meeting once a week at the hospital, with doctors and their support staff volunteering. Those who could not pay received free care.
Hospital Outgrown Again
Just three years after the 1953 expansion, Hospital Administrator Charles H. Clark announced the hospital had once again outgrown its facilities. After five years of planning and fundraising, ground was broken on the City-County hospital's latest expansion in 1961.
Major Expansion
Construction was complete on May 11, 1963. This expansion added 66 patient beds, a front lobby, a coffee shop, a prayer room, a conference room, and a classroom, along with expansions to the Laboratory, X-Ray Department, and dining room. This expansion cost $1.4 million.
Coronary Care Unit
In 1968, City-County Hospital opened the region’s first Coronary Care Unit, using advanced monitoring technology and specially trained staff to improve emergency cardiac care and patient survival.
New Hospital Wing & Physical Therapy Added
In January 1970, a newly constructed $1.5 million hospital wing was completed and opened, adding 30 acute care beds and 76 extended care facility beds. Following the construction of a nearby nursing home, demand for extended care beds declined, and 40 were relicensed for acute care use. In June 1970, the Physical Therapy Department opened under an agreement with Physical Therapy Associates.
John C. Desmarais Named Administrator
On April 28, 1975, John C. Desmarais was named Hospital Administrator, beginning a tenure of dedicated leadership that would guide the institution through decades of growth.
‘City-County Hospital becomes Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital Corporation
City-County Hospital transitioned to become the Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital Corporation (BGWCCHC), marking a new chapter in its organizational structure.
Construction begins on The Medical Center at Bowling Green
In March 1978, construction began on the new replacement hospital facility. During the year, planning continued for future use of the existing Reservoir Park hospital.
Move from Reservoir Hill
On March 8, City-County Hospital completed its move to The Medical Center at Bowling Green, safely transferring more than 200 patients in a coordinated operation. The relocation expanded services with modern facilities and marked a major milestone, launching a new era of regional care and full hospital operation of the ambulance service.
Med Center opens regions first ever cancer treatment center
Between 1980 and 1983, The Medical Center at Bowling Green planned and opened a dedicated Cancer Treatment Center to expand regional oncology services. The center's 1983 dedication marked a major advancement in specialized cancer care for Southern Kentucky.
Cardiac Catheterization Lab
In December 1984, The Medical Center at Bowling Green opened its new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, the first and only dedicated cath lab serving the Bowling Green community and surrounding region.
First MRI in Southcentral Kentucky
In 1987, a diagnostic imaging center opened at the Medical Center, becoming the first MRI facility of its kind in Southcentral Kentucky. Funded by local physicians, the center introduced advanced MRI technology that provided detailed imaging without radiation exposure, marking a major advancement in regional diagnostic care.
Open Heart Surgery Program
In Spring 1988, The Medical Center received Certificate of Need approval for its Open Heart Surgery Program, bringing advanced cardiac surgical capabilities to the region.
Expanded outpatient services
In 1992, new outpatient and occupational health services opened in Bowling Green, including the Bowling Green Industrial Rehab Center and an UrgentCare facility at Hartland Medical Plaza. These centers expanded rehabilitation, occupational health, and walk-in medical services, strengthening community access to injury prevention, recovery, and immediate care.
Free Clinic Opens
In 1995, the Commonwealth Health Free Clinic was established to provide basic medical care for working, low-income individuals. Located on East Tenth Street, the clinic offered limited weekly hours and eligibility screening, expanding access to essential health services for underserved members of the Bowling Green community.
Scottsville and Cal Turner Pavilion
In February 1996, Commonwealth Health Corporation dedicated The Medical Center at Scottsville and the Cal Turner Extended Care Pavilion, introducing a new healthcare campus for the community. The facility combined acute care, emergency and diagnostic services, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care, significantly expanding access to modern medical and long-term care services in the Scottsville area.
Health and Wellness Center
In 1998, The Medical Center opened a Health & Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall to promote preventive care and healthy lifestyles. The center offered health education, classes, screenings, and community programs, expanding access to wellness resources outside the hospital setting.
Medical Center at Franklin Established
In 2000, the Medical Center at Franklin celebrated its grand opening, marking a major milestone in expanding healthcare access for the community. The new facility brought advanced technology, expanded services, and dedicated medical professionals closer to residents, strengthening local care and demonstrating a strong commitment to improving regional health outcomes.
NICU Partnership with Vanderbilt
In 2006, The Medical Center expanded neonatal services through a partnership with Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, allowing high-risk infants to receive advanced neonatology care closer to home. The enhanced NICU improved care for premature and critically ill newborns, reduced the need for transfers to distant hospitals, and strengthened collaboration among obstetric, pediatric, and neonatal teams to provide comprehensive newborn care locally. That year also saw the opening of Riverside Pharmacy, further expanding patient services.
D Tower Opens
Med Center Health celebrated the opening of a $30M, 48,000 square foot expansion over the hospital's existing emergency department and ambulatory surgery wing. The expansion added 48 new private patient care rooms, including space for infectious disease, orthopaedics and sports medicine, and more.
John Desmarais retires and Connie Smith named new CEO
John Desmarais retired from his more than three decades as president and CEO of the Commonwealth Health Corporation and his position was assumed by Connie Smith, longtime Executive Vice President and COO, who still assumes her role today.
Hospitality House Opens
In 2011, the Hospitality House on The Medical Center campus marked a major milestone after exceeding its $3 million capital campaign goal, raising more than $3.8 million. The house, which opened to its first guests in January 2011, provides free lodging and support for families and caregivers of critically ill patients, strengthening community-based support services through the Commonwealth Health Foundation.
WKU Health Sciences Complex
The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex opened in 2013 and provided space for The Medical Center to offer advanced training with sophisticated technology for its clinical staff. These labs offer high-level training that is not a part of most hospitals. The Medical Center simulation lab is full of life-like virtual patients in realistic hospital care settings, allowing for a unique educational experience. An entire medical team, including physicians, nurses, paramedics and respiratory therapists, can train in an interconnected way.
The Medical Center at Caverna, The Medical Center at Albany and the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliation
In 2016, The Medical Center expanded its regional footprint by acquiring Caverna Memorial Hospital and Clinton County War Memorial Hospital, renaming them as The Medical Center at Caverna and The Medical Center at Albany. The Medical Center at Bowling Green also joined the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, strengthening cancer care collaboration.
UK College of Medicine Partnership
In 2017, a groundbreaking marked the start of construction for a five-story parking garage and a multipurpose building to house the UK College of Medicine–Bowling Green Campus. The campus opened in 2018 through a partnership with Med Center Health and Western Kentucky University.
COVID-19 Response
From 2019–2021, COVID-19 tested the region—and Med Center Health rose to meet the moment. As the only vaccination center in the region and one of the first in Kentucky to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Med Center Health partnered with a dedicated community of volunteers to deliver hope when it mattered most. The vaccination clinic served thousands of patients and was recognized with visits from Governor Andy Beshear and Senator Mitch McConnell. The organization is proud of the teamwork, resilience, and compassion that helped carry the community through an unprecedented time. 💙
Med Center Health serves on the front lines during 2021 tornado
At the end of 2021, Bowling Green was struck by the most significant tornado in the community's history. Med Center Health teams rose to the challenge, coordinating emergency services with first responders across the community.
Med Center Health adds hybrid OR, MC Cares, and Women's Health Services
In 2022, Med Center Health celebrated major milestones with the opening of a hybrid operating room—enhancing care for heart, lung, and vascular patients—and the ribbon cutting of the Med Center Health Women's Health Services building, bringing OBGYN services together in one dedicated space. MC Cares, an employee-funded program created to support team members affected by the 2021 tornado, also continued its important work in the community.
The Medical Center at Russellville
Med Center Health officially acquired Logan Memorial Hospital on July 1, 2024, renaming the facility The Medical Center at Russellville. This move contiued Med Center Health's mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, as Logan County was now included in the Med Center Health footprint of care.
Advances in medical technology
The organization advanced surgical innovation with its first virtual reality–assisted shoulder surgery, performed by UK Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Chaitu Malempati. Med Center Health established the Lung Nodule Program, which has treated hundreds of patients for lung cancer and potential lung cancer. By identifying the disease earlier—before it progresses to more advanced stages—the program is helping patients live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
Sahetya Building and Western Kentucky Heart and Lung additions
Med Center Health honored the legacy of Cal and Gul Sahetya with the purchase of the Sahetya building following their retirement—now home to Med Center Health Primary Care Bowling Green. Care across the region was further strengthened with the operations of Med Center Health Western Kentucky Heart and Lung, enhancing already strong cardiac and pulmonary services.
Med Center Glasgow
Med Center Health Glasgow was opened to the public in April of 2025. This new facilty brought primary and specialty care to the residents of Barren and surrounding counties.
Med Center Health Emergency + UrgentCare
Med Center Health broke ground on Med Center Health Emergency + UrgentCare, an innovative model offering ER services and urgent care services under one roof, on March 19, 2025. This pioneering venture berween Med Center Health and Intuitive Health was the first of its kind in the Southcentral area. The facility was opened on April 1, 2026.
Expansion of Women’s and children’s services with High Street Tower
In 2024, Med Center Health broke ground on its High Street Tower, an investment to help expand women's and children's service offerings to accommodate our growing communities. The newest building on the Medical Center at Bowling Green campus is expected to open in August of 2026.
Be Part of Our Story
Explore our photo archives to see more moments from our history, or learn how you can get involved in our centennial celebration.