The hospital exists today thanks to the vision and hard work of a group of area business men and women; community leaders and organizations; and local citizens who raised more than a $335,000 dollars to build the original facility.  With matching funds from the federal government,   Gentry County Memorial Hospital opened its doors in September, 1957.  Since then, the generous support has continued and has played a crucial role in the hospital’s ability to provide the latest healthcare services and to expand the facility to meet the needs of the community.

1966 – A gift from the Mrs. Lula Hundley Whaley Estate made a 19-bed expansion possible.

1975 – A 6-bed critical care unit was added with funds raised locally.

1977 – The hospital built a physician clinic on East Highway 136.

1984 – GCMH formed a Home Health Agency.

1986 – A $350,000 project to renovate patient rooms, corridors, the nurses’ station and front entrance was completed.

1991 - $650,000 was utilized to expand the emergency room, business and administrative offices, and waiting room.

1991 – GCMH opened a skilled nursing unit.

1998 – From a donation from Helen Osborn Girffin in memory of her parents, the hospital added a $1.3 million Outpatient/Surgery/Physical Therapy Pavilion.

1999 – A helicopter pad for “Life Flight” transfers was added with the donations from the City of  Albany and the Albany Rotary Club.

2001 – GCMH completed renovation and expansion of a skilled nursing wing that added private bathrooms and showers for each patient room and also a separate dining/activity room.

2002 – The Gentry County Hospital Association voted to change the name of the hospital to Northwest Medical Center.

2005 – Northwest Medical Center completely remodeled the kitchen and dining room area.

2006 – A 5-room, state-of-the-art emergency department was constructed in the area formerly occupied by the critical care unit.

2009 – NWMC constructed an addition to house our newest, most advanced technological device, a Siemens MRI which is, at this time,  one of only 4 in use in the entire United States.

Now, after a half-century of dedicated service, Northwest Medical Center looks forward to a strong future of serving our community with health care programs and services that meet the ever-changing needs of individuals and families of Northwest Missouri.