You can learn a lot in a hundred years. Born in 1906, we have evolved from a tiny community hospital to a major community resource offering some of the best healthcare in this or any city. And we have learned that the only way to be among the best is to strive to get better every single day. Here, then, is a brief show and tell of how a hospital, and a community, have grown and learned together.

1906-1928: The beginning of something better.
1929-1940: In the worst of times, good people are at their best.
1941-1959: War and peace...Experience builds a better hospital.
1960-1977: For richer, for poorer. Good relationships last.
1978-1991: A community evolves. A hospital changes for the better.
1992-1999: A community builds. A president knows best.
2000-2006: The western suburbs have one of the best hospitals in the city.

1906	Dr. Black, who had been treating patients from locals mills in his home, saw that it was time to expand. So, he began to solicit funds from local industry and community leaders, and eventually founded Ohio Valley General Hospital as a charitable organization
1909	New wing and a 2-floor annex were added
1926	12 nurses were enrolled in the School of Nursing, and 6 more OVGH nursing school graduates were working in the hospital
1926	McKees Rocks population grew to 16,713. Hospital treated 919 patients, 219 of whom received free care
1927	Hospital constitution and bylaws were adopted. The hospital's purpose was: "...care of the sick and persons needing medical and surgical treatment"
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1929	The Great Depression hit nationwide
1930	Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth took over the 60-bed hospital's administration
1933	Hospital received approval from the prestigious American College of Surgeons
1936	Hospital superintendent Sister Mary Concordia wrote, "...growth has been the result of consistent effort by many who have sacrificed their good will and labor to render this institution a real service to the community"
1937	The hospital recorded 348 births, a 21% increase from 1936
1938	Paul Baker, who would become a long-standing Ohio Valley General Hospital Board Member, and his brothers established Jenny Lee Bakery in McKees Rocks. His daughter, Catherine Baker Knoll, would become Lt. Gov. in 2003
1939	The School of Nursing was accredited by the State of Pennsylvania
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1942	Purchase of 56 acres, known as the Heckel Property, on which to build a new hospital
1944	Nursing school enrollment comprised 22 students and the hospital had 24 Red Cross volunteer nurses to cover during the nursing shortage caused by the war
1946	A contract was signed to build the new hospital
1949	The new 130-bed hospital opened
1950	By July, nearly 800 babies had been born at the new hospital and over 4000 people had been treated
1951	Centrifuge, autotechnicon and blood bank refrigerator added
1951	X-rays, diagnosis, and advanced treatments were made available in the hospital's new Tuberculosis Clinic
1954	Groundbreaking took place for the new School of Nursing
1956	The nursing school opened with facilities for 65 students
1959	The Pennsylvania Board of Nurse Examiners approved the School of Nursing
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1963	The hospital planned a $1.3 million, new extension that included a medical staff library and solariums on three floors
1965	Open house for new extension
1968	20th anniversary in Heckel Road Building. Coronary Care Unit opened
1970	A new IBM Systems 3 computer was installed - one of only 2 such advanced computers in Western Pennsylvania
1973	A 6-year, 87% patient increase in the emergency room alone necessitated new plans for more building expansion
1974	The hospital launched a $600,000 capital fund campaign as part of $10 million plus building plan
1975	Groundbreaking ceremonies held for new hospital building
1976	Hospital offered much of the country's most advanced technology for cancer detection
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1979	New construction added 27 beds, an expanded surgical suite, a modernized ICU/Coronary Care Unit, and remodeled the cardiology, respiratory, and maternity areas
1980	Helicopters touched down at the hospital as part of a trial run to assess their landing viability here
1984	First community hospital in Western Pennsylvania to offer a full program of cardiac studies in nuclear medicine
1984	A revolutionary, computerized diagnostic tool was added to the Radiology Department
1986	Ohio Valley contracted with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the nation's largest and most experienced hospital management advisory organization
1986	William Provenzano named new hospital president
1988	Ribbon-cutting for a new on-site 25,000 sq. ft. medical office building that improved physician and patient access to all hospital services
1990	The hospital cared for over 75,000 patients and had over 170 doctors representing 36 different specialties
1990	Community education programs included corporate health care, HealthSource physician referral, screenings, and a Seniority program
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1992	Ohio Valley General Hospital doctors returned to the practice of making house calls
1992	The Medicenters offered new, advanced radiology and lab services
1993	Fourth floor added to hospital building to house Intensive Care/Critical Care Units, Cardio-respiratory department and Cardiac Rehabilitation
1994	Chairman of the Board, Otto Kellman expressed confidence that, "Ohio Valley's flexibility and preparation for change will ensure its continued success in today's turbulent healthcare environment"
1995	New mobile Lithotripter offered patients with kidney- and gall-stones advanced and virtually painless treatment
1995	Small-incision surgery made cataract removal safer and simpler, and hastened recovery times for patients
1996	Ohio Valley General Hospital announced a 16-month, major renovation of the emergency department
1998	The Residence at Willow Lane assisted living facility for seniors opened
1999	The Center for Physical Rehabilitation opened to provide expert care for injuries and illness including, stroke, joint replacement, arthritis, spinal cord, amputation, and Parkinson's disease
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2000	A CAT scanner added
2000	Health Link provided free home visits to discharged patients
2001	Ohio Valley General Hospital granted free tuition, worth $16,500, to every accepted nursing student
2001	The new Cardiac Catheterization Lab was equipped with the Angiostar Plus imaging system - the only such system in the Pittsburgh area
2002	Hospital medical staff donated $4000 to the Kennedy VFD to buy a Thermal Imaging Camera
2003	Avatar International, Inc., named Ohio Valley General Hospital a national winner for "Exceeding Patient Expectations" and "Overall Best Performer" for the third consecutive year
2003	The Willow Heights residence for independent senior living opened
2004	First hospital in the United States to implement automated bar coding technology to ensure correct IV dose
2005	Construction started on new $23 million OB/GYN & Surgical Center
2006	Irene E. Fritzky Family donates $500,000 to implement an internet-based software system that gives doctors real time access to patients’ clinical information.
2007	A time capsule with memorabilia from the hospital’s first hundred years was sealed and placed inside the soon-to-be-completed Surgery and Maternity Center
2007	The new 50,000 square-foot, glass enclosed Surgery & Maternity Center with 6 new operating rooms and 10 new in-patient maternity rooms is dedicated in a private ceremony.
2007	Ground breaking ceremony marks beginning construction of a new Medical Office Building.
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