Gratiot Community Hospital events in 1955 from the top: A photograph of the hospital as it appeared in late February 1955. The new entrance was in the light colored area in the center; the dedication ceremony took place on August 28, 1955, with 500 people in attendance. An open house took place afterward; the first patient admitted to Gratiot Community Hospital was William Raycraft of Alma. Dr. Kenneth Wolfe, who admitted the first patient to Smith Memorial 22 years earlier, was honored for bringing the first patient to GCH; Mrs. Charles Hinton of Vestaburg (center) had the first baby in GCH, a girl. The family received several gifts from Alma merchants; the Hospital Lobby Shop was one of the early projects handled by the Gratiot Community Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Donald Nelson and Mrs. David Van Slyters wait for Mrs. Ray Bentley from St. Louis early in the shop’s opening.

The start of 1955 marked a pivotal chapter in the effort to build Gratiot Community Hospital, as the community rallied around a common goal and took meaningful steps toward making a new county hospital in Gratiot County.

The year began with the first baby born in Gratiot County at nearby Smith Memorial Hospital. Charles Fay Thompson arrived at 7:48 p.m. on New Year’s Day, weighing 7 pounds and 5 ounces, and his parents were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Thompson of 112 Winsor Street in Alma. This birth was unique: the Thompson child would be the last “first baby of the year” at Smith Memorial, which closed later that summer.

Throughout the winter, to ensure progress continued, builders completely enclosed the hospital and installed temporary heating so interior work could advance despite the cold. During this stage, Hospital Administrator Art Allaben kept his offices in the Alma City Hall, maintained a full-time secretary, and offered hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Some people either came to the office or mailed letters of interest to seek positions at the new hospital, but hiring did not begin until late spring. In early March, public interest grew when a new photograph of the hospital, taken from the west, appeared in the Alma Record under the headline, “New Hospital Has Fine Appearance.” Donor recognition efforts continued during this period, including an announcement that James E. Ryan, president of Alma Trailer Company, fulfilled his pledge by donating $25,000 to the project, and he commented that the donation was an example of what the entire trailer industry could do to be involved and active in the community.

As spring turned to summer and construction continued, a change in the timeline became necessary. In June, the Board of Trustees realized that the hospital would not be ready by the original July 1 date. They set a new target of September 1, attributing the delay to the need to procure the necessary equipment to begin construction of the hospital. Around this time, Administrator Allaben announced that Alice LaPaugh had been hired as director of nurses, having previously held a similar position at Smith Memorial Hospital. Miss Constance Lucia of Ann Arbor was hired as LaPaugh’s assistant. The hospital also introduced a program to recruit and train a group of Grey Ladies under the direction of the Gratiot American Red Cross. These volunteers needed to be over 21, have a doctor’s note confirming their good health, and be “willing to help their fellowman.” The gray poplin uniform each Grey Lady wore cost them $7, and the Gratiot Red Cross furnished the insignia. Additionally, the new hospital launched a call for teachers for “Home Care for the Sick,” introducing a five-day training program to help people care for their own sick and others during a disaster.

Near the end of summer, the Board of Trustees announced the dedication ceremony for the new hospital would be held on August 28. Planning entered its final stages as the hospital anticipated large crowds, and it asked Consumers Power Company for permission to use its parking lot for potential overflow parking. An open house was planned so everyone in Gratiot County could tour the new facility, which now featured 86 beds and 20 bassinets. The first patients were expected to arrive by early September, especially from Smith Memorial Hospital.

On August 28, 1955, Gratiot Community Hospital opened. Despite overcast weather, a large platform hosted officials and speakers. Reverend Bernard Didier was the toastmaster, and Dr. Edward T. Thompson delivered the dedicatory address. The $1,000,000 project was celebrated as a joint effort of industrialists, civic groups, and citizens. After the ceremony, the crowd toured the new hospital.

After this dedication, the first patient, William Raycraft, arrived by ambulance from Dewey Funeral Home on September 19. Dr. Kenneth Wolfe oversaw his admission, who admitted the first patient at Smith Memorial Hospital 22 years earlier. Also starting that day, patients and equipment were moved from Smith Memorial to the new hospital, temporarily cluttering the facility as staff organized it.

Early in the hospital’s opening, Mrs. Charles Hinton delivered the first baby, a girl, on September 21, with Dr. Silvert and Mrs. Delores Jones assisting. Alma merchants honored the family. On October 7, Mrs. Leon Woodbury had the first twin girls, delivered by Dr. Loren Burt and RN Doris Jessup. Jessup was also the mother of Alma’s triplets, born in town some years earlier. Admissions reached 57 patients by this milestone.

By October, a new lobby shop opened for short daily hours, chaired and staffed by Mrs. David VanSluyter. The Women’s Hospital Auxiliary held its annual meeting, with 90 attendees, and recruited volunteers and requested sewing machine donations. The auxiliary focused on public relations, fundraising, and volunteer services, and later introduced a room-service cart for patients through the lobby shop.

As 1955 came to a close, more activities took place at the new hospital. Earle Brenneman, chairman of the hospital’s fundraising efforts for two years, was recognized at a dinner held at Van Dusen Commons at Alma College. Brenneman served dutifully and led the campaign to raise funds for the new hospital. The hospital also needed nurse aides and offered training classes beginning in early December. Applicants were preferred to be at least high school graduates. An enlarged Board of Directors held its first meeting and, among its first tasks, started a search for a new hospital administrator after Arthur Allaben, who had held the position for a year, resigned. The board set hospital rates for multiple rooms at $12 each, semi-private rooms at $15 each, and private rooms at $20 each. Most of the hospital’s rooms were semi-private.

Just before Christmas, Gratiot Hospital received a $20,700 grant from the Ford Foundation to enhance facilities, train staff, and conduct research. The hospital also named Dr. Bernard J. Graham as chief of staff for 1956, with Dr. R.L. Waggoner as vice chief.

Gratiot County now had its community hospital up and running after years of planning, fundraising, and building.

Copyright 2026 James M Goodspeed