Memorial Satilla Health

About

In 1876, Waycross saw the establishment of its first hospital, initially serving employees of the Plant Railroad System and later managed by Atlantic Coast Railroad. By 1907, community-driven efforts, including personal donations and local events, led to the opening of King's Daughters Hospital on Brunel Street. Unfortunately, a fire necessitated its relocation to Williams Street in 1928. A $150,000 bond referendum facilitated the construction of a new 60-bed facility, Ware County Hospital, which opened on State Street in 1929.

Post-World War II, Waycross experienced economic growth, prompting the construction of a new county hospital on Darling Avenue in 1956. This facility, Memorial Hospital of Waycross, underwent significant expansion over the next three decades to enhance patient care services. In 1987, Satilla Health Services, Inc., a non-profit organization, was established to foster growth beyond Ware County's borders and took over Memorial Hospital's operations.

In 1991, the hospital was renamed Satilla Regional Medical Center to better represent its expanding regional influence. A year later, a $7.4 million project added substantial space for a new lobby and essential departments like radiology and emergency services. Further expansion in 2001 introduced a new main entrance and advanced medical services including surgical and cardiac care units.

In 2010, Satilla Regional Medical Center embarked on a three-story expansion project that included a 16-bed Progressive Cardiac Care Unit. By March 2012, an agreement with Mayo Clinic in Florida integrated Satilla into the Mayo Clinic Health System, marking it as Georgia's first location. On May 1, 2017, the hospital joined the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) network and was renamed Memorial Satilla Health, honoring its historical roots while embracing its future.