History
Valley County Health System has been providing high-quality, convenient, personalized healthcare to Central Nebraskans for more than 45 years.
In the early 1960s, residents of Valley County voted to establish Valley County Hospital, replacing a facility located on South 16th Street in Ord that was considered in poor repair by the Nebraska State Health Department. The Valley County Hospital was dedicated at its present location on August 2, 1964. Patients were transferred from the old facility on September 24, 1964.
The new hospital facility opened with 31 acute care beds, two labor beds, two recovery beds, three intensive care beds and 20 long-term care beds. In 1975, a new addition to Valley County Hospital added 45 long term care beds. In 1991, another addition added space for the Long Term Care, Rehabilitation Services, Business and Central Supply Departments.
In 2001, Valley County Hospital became a Critical Access Hospital. This program was adopted by Nebraska in 1997. It allows for a different method of Medicare payment to small rural hospitals. In addition, it provides Valley County Hospital more flexibility so we may operate more efficiently and better meet the needs of our patients.
In 2005, Valley County Hospital changed its name to Valley County Health System—a name more reflective of the wide variety of services provided throughout the facility. Today, the Health System employs more than 275 full-time and part-time employees.
In 2008, Valley County voters approved a $21.265 million bond issue to build a new hospital facility. Construction is nearly complete on the 68,600 square foot building. A grand opening date has been set for October 4, 2010 with a public open house to be held on Sunday, September 26th.
The new facility features 16 acute care beds, two operating rooms, 12 medical clinic exam rooms, 6 specialty clinic exam rooms, an aqua therapy pool in the Rehabilitation Department , state-of-the-art imaging department and chapel. The stained glass in the chapel was donated by the Boilesen Family and the aqua therapy pool was paid for by Greater Loup Valley Activities, Inc. from a donation they received from the Alfred and Irma Burson Estate.
Construction Zone
New Facility Update: Week of July 12
During the weeks of July 5th and 12th, noticeable progress was made on the new hospital. Wall and floor covering installation continued in the medical clinic, specialty clinic and emergency department. Ceiling grid continued to be installed and electrical and plumbing contractors remained busy with lighting and hook-ups. The security contractor was on-site cabling the doors throughout the building.