We Support the efforts of
Memorial Medical Center Foundation
The story of Memorial Medical Center of West Michigan is really one of legacy- a legacy created by a community of people who, one hundred years ago, dreamed of bringing the best medical care possible to Ludington.
It is also one of commitment – the commitment of hundreds of physicians, healthcare professionals, and volunteers uniting to deliver quality healthcare services to the citizens of Mason County and West Michigan.
Memorial Medical Center had its start in September 1906 when a group of women from Ludington and Scottville eagerly presented to the men of the community the idea of having a local hospital. “Impossible, a waste of time,” was the response and the idea was soundly dismissed. However, these were formidable women: wives of doctors, businessmen and pharmacists, with a vision of their own, and they were determined that Mason County could have a hospital. The Mason County Hospital Association was officially chartered in November 1906.
On August 14, 1907, a serious accident on the railroad between Ludington and Epworth Heights awakened the community to the need for a local hospital. Support increased and Justus Stearns a well-known local businessman offered his home for use as a hospital in memory of Justus Stearn’s wife, Paulina. Money was raised to renovate the Stearns home, donated items equipped the home and, on October 19, 1907, Paulina Stearns Hospital opened.
The population increased because the Ludington area was becoming a center for business and industry. The first hospital found itself too small to meet the community’s needs and a new, modern 30-bed hospital was built on Washington Avenue and opened for service in the fall of 1940.
Growth of the area continued, property on Ludington Avenue was purchased, and early in 1967 Memorial Hospital of Mason County, a modern 76-bed facility, opened. In May 1981, the name was changed to Memorial Medical Center of West Michigan to reflect the hospital’s commitment to serving a broad area beyond Mason County.
Yet for all its growth, the Memorial Medical Center of today traced its rich history of serving back to its founders; nine women who wouldn’t accept what was and focused on their vision of what could be.
It is our hope to carry on their legacy through a unique Christmas Campaign to benefit the women of our community. After Memorial Medical Center Foundation announced on August 9th, 2008 that is was committed to raise $1.275 million to fund this entire project it became clear that in order for our hospital to be successful in this endeavor, the community needed to support the cause. Through the Community Relations Committee of the Foundation of Memorial Medical Center, a committed task force of volunteers has stepped forward to organize the vision of Pink Christmas into a spectacular holiday event. It is the heart of our community that propels us forward. Now that the funds are raised and the opening of the center is in our sites, the campaign continues as a celebration with a focus on awareness and education. It is vital that women use this amazing new facility - the best protection is early detection!
We are all presented the opportunity to ensure that Memorial Medical Center continues to be a center for healing and a citadel of comfort and hope. You are invited to join us by financially supporting the advancement of healthcare in the region served by Memorial Medical Center. Your financial support provides vital funds that assist in meeting the challenges of changing healthcare needs in our community and ensures that you, your employees and families will receive the best medical care possible.
You can support our hospital by contacting the Memorial Medical Center Foundation. The MMC Foundation is an invaluable volunteer network of employees, community residents and business leaders who represent a strong partnership with their local healthcare provider. Building on the spirit of community involvement, the Foundation seeks to increase philanthropic support to assure the bright future of our hospital in service to you.