Prowers Medical Center: History.

Our History

As a result of the efforts of Charles Maxwell to provide the local citizens access to proper medical care, Charles Maxwell Hospital was erected in 1928 and was maintained as a privately controlled institution until 1946. In 1946, the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception purchased the hospital and renamed it Sacred Heart Hospital. Sacred Heart Hospital served the area with a distinguished record of service for several decades.

In 1967, the sisters announced that they planned to close the hospital due to lack of funding but the community rallied together; they needed expanded services and better health care. In September of 1968, the Prowers County Hospital District was formed and assumed the hospital’s operation. The hospital district renamed the hospital Prowers Medical Center.

In 1978, a new hospital was constructed and operations were moved to the current location at 401 Kendall Drive. In the 1990's additional space was added to the building to meet the space needs for additional health care services.

In 1993, Prowers Medical Center began employing physicians to ensure proper medical support for the hospital. This employed physician group begain doing business as "Associated Physicians"

In 1997, Prowers Medical Center assumed responsibility for the staffing and operation of the Holly Medical Clinic.

In 2004, Prowers Medical Center was certified by CMS (Medicare) as a Critical Access Hospital.

In 2006, Prowers Medical Center completed construction of a 20,000 sq/ft addition to the hospital’s campus. The expansion included 25 new private patient rooms, four (4) new family birthing rooms, a four (4) bed outpatient sleep study laboratory, an expanded intensive care unit, a chapel, healing garden, visitors welcome center, and a new covered main entrance.

In 2008, Associated Physicians expanded to address primary heath care needs of the community. The name of the practice was changed to "Prowers Medical Group"

In 2008, the hospital opened the Convenient Care Clinic which provides cost effective, after hours healthcare services. The following year, services were expanded by adding a morning Sunrise Clinic.

In 2010, the Convenient Care Clinic, Holly Clinic and Lamar Clinic were certified by CMS as provider based Rural Health Clinics.

In 2010, a new clinic, Las Animas Family Practice was opened to expand primary health care services to residents of Bent County.