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An early view of the Littleton Hospital, founded in 1906. The nurses' residence built in 1922
is shown on the left. It was connected to the hospital by a tunnel.
Littleton Regional Hospital History
Littleton Hospital Association
1906–2007
In 1906, sixty-two residents of the Littleton area recognized the need for a local hospital. They resolved to fill that need by incorporating themselves into the Littleton Hospital Association, and on April 3 conducted their first organizational meeting. The objective of the association was to establish and maintain a community hospital.
Under the leadership of Dr. William J. Beattie and with major financial support from John J. Glessner, industrialist and summer resident, the association quickly developed the momentum to found a hospital. Financial support came as a natural response to the need that residents had for hospital care. Those without personal experience knew of incidents like the one, "at the small home of a Gilmanton Hill Road resident who was so tall that he laid on the doctor's folding operating table - his feet in the kitchen, his head in the bedroom (where the late Dr. Giles gave the anesthetic) and the incision point in the dining room.” By September 1906, funds had been raised and the ground was broken for the new Littleton Hospital. The original two-story brick building with stately white pillars and large double piazza was dedicated on June 27, 1907. The Hospital had an operating room, and bed capacity for 15 patients.
The Littleton Hospital Training School for Nurses opened in 1923 in a new, white, wooden structure adjacent to the hospital. This training school served as a source of nurses for the hospital and as a community resource for education and training of area women motivated to a career in health care. In the Fall of 1935, this school was "discontinued indefinitely" as a result of the economic pressures of the period. Some 80 women were "capped" after their years of training in the Littleton Hospital. Area population growth and a need to modernize caused the association to undertake the first major construction program, which was concluded in 1932. A three-story building was joined to the rear of the original hospital increasing the bed capacity to 47. A maternity department, a laboratory, and a new operation suite were contained in the addition. A new heating plant and laundry were located in a separate building. The new Littleton Hospital was recognized as one of the best in New England for its size.
Faithful to its tradition of excellence in health care service, the trustees voted for a major expansion in 1962. This initiative came in response to a need for improved surgical and laboratory facilities, an increased number of patient beds and room for additional patient care services. The bed capacity was increased to 61. The obstetrics department was modernized, a physical therapy department was added, and a new laundry and utilities were provided in the basement of the new wing.
A consensus of the medical staff and administration was confirmed by Board of Trustee action when they voted to expand the hospital. The 1975 addition provided greater facilities for out-patient services, a modernized emergency department, a pharmacy department, three private rooms, and an office area for staff physicians that would be convenient to the hospital facilities.
The 1980 construction and renovation program modernized patient care areas that no longer met life safety criteria. Administrative and laboratory areas were expanded and updated to provide for more effective service.
Littleton Hospital proudly faced the challenges of the 1980's as a fully modernized, highly sophisticated, community health facility offering a wide range of supporting service to area primary care physicians.
External pressures in the 80's exerted an influence on the hospital, with reductions in federal health services funding and the arrival of new payment schedules referred to as DRGs. Outpatient services expanded, reflecting regulatory efforts to curtail national health care expenditures. By the early 1980s it became clear that full-time coverage by emergency physicians was needed to staff the growing department. Twenty-four-hour, on-site physician coverage has been the standard since that time. An important component of emergency care has been the Emergency Medical System first implemented in 1976.
Purchase of the Elmwood property near the hospital provided room for offices and various support services during the late 80s and the 90s.
In 1991, building renovations and additions were completed. A new emergency department, additional space in the radiology department, a more accessible main entrance, and renovated physicians' office area were the results of this long-awaited renovation project.
By the mid-90s, Littleton Regional Hospital had become a progressive medical facility offering multiple specialties, such as neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and general surgery. It had an on-site CT scanner and mobile MRI unit. The hospital's oncology program offered a full range of services for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy. A range of occupational health services was offered to large and small businesses in the area. The hospital's Autologous Blood Donor Program allowed patients to donate their own blood prior to surgery. In 1996 the new Lisbon Family Health Center opened. Groundbreaking for the new Whitefield Family Health Center began.
Services available in 1996 included lithotripsy, cardiac rehabilitation, echocardiography, stereotactic biopsy, mammography, Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), audiograms, work hardening, and evaluation programs, among others. The hospital served as a regional emergency blood storage site.
To accommodate the expanding medical staff a modular building was placed near the hospital's main entrance in 1996 to house a medical group practice.
Because parts of the hospital building were old, it was necessary to spend money during the 90s on maintenance and economize or postpone purchases in other areas. By 1998, Hospital trustees had determined that a new replacement facility was necessary, due to projected maintenance and renovation costs for the aging hospital and the fact that the building was virtually landlocked.
Groundbreaking for the new campus to be built on donated land from the Hoffmann Estate took place on October 19, 1998. The new 88,000 square foot hospital and its adjoining 25,000 square foot medical office building opened in January of 2001 on a beautiful campus with ample acreage for the changing needs of the community.
2001 to Present
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2001 was an exciting year, with the move to our new facility at 600 St. Johnsbury Road. The history of our new facility began on January 23rd, 2001. |
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The Veteran's Clinic began seeing patients on January 8, 2001. The Veteran's Clinic is a community-based outpatient clinic, which operates through a contract with the White River Junction Veterans Administration Hospital. |
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A successful Paramedic Program was implemented in 2001. This program seeks to develop an innovative and cost-effective emergency medical care research and pilot project. Paramedics and Emergency Department, improving patient flow and reducing waiting time. |
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2002 marked the first full year of our new existence as a Critical Care Hospital. |
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On October 18, 2002, the Physicians' Office Building and Conference Center was dedicated in memory of Dr. H. Taylor Caswell, Jr., a long-time physician, trustee, and friend of the Littleton Regional Hospital. |
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In 2002, the Amberann George Fund was established in memory of a highly respected Littleton Regional Hospital staff member, Amberann George, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, by her family. This fund is designed to provide and promote quality breast care for women, with the ultimate goal of establishing a breast care center at our hospital. |
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2002 also saw the combination of the Development and Community Relations Departments, created to expand our philanthropic activities. |
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On March 24, 2003 we saw the establishment of the Littleton Regional Hospital Charitable Foundation. For the first time in the 96-year history of the hospital, a Charitable Foundation was formed to raise money in support of its mission. |
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A new Occupational Health and Injury Treatment Program was established at the request of local employers. |
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New diagnostic cardiology equipment and new nuclear medicine technology was purchased in response to physician requests and strong patient demand. |
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On June 23, 2007 - Littleton Hospital Association celebrated its Centennial Celebration. More than 250 people attended a delightful dinner and dance on campus under a glorious white tent. |
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