1829

A bill was introduced to the Tennessee Legislature by Shelby County Senator Adam Huntsman to appropriate funds for the opening of what would be called the Memphis Hospital.

1830

$3,300 was appropriated to enable the Memphis Hospital to open its doors. The hospital’s original purpose was to contain the spread of disease from hundreds of sick travelers coming into the city of Memphis via the Mississippi River.

1832 - 1835

The cholera epidemics convinced both the city and state to expand the Memphis Hospital’s services by providing a more modern facility and establishing a new medical education component. To this day, The MED is known as a significant contributor to medical research.

1862

During the Civil War, the Memphis Hospital was transformed into a military hospital operated by the federal government.

1866

Governance of the Memphis Hospital was returned to the state of Tennessee after the Civil War ended. The Tennessee legislature did not appropriate money in support of the hospital, and therefore granted title to the city of Memphis. What would then be known as the Memphis City Hospital was supported by a special tax that yielded about $11,000 annually.

1883-1885

The hospital averaged 80 patients per day with a per capita cost of 32.5 cents per day.

1929

Mrs. Theresa Gaston Mann, who would be the hospital’s most significant benefactor to date, passed away, leaving more than $300,000 to the Memphis City Hospital in addition to the Gaston home and furnishings. Her contribution was made in memory of her former husband, John Gaston.

1936

With the Gaston inheritance, $300,000 from the city, $100,000 from the county, and a grant from the Public Works Administration, the Memphis City Hospital generated $800,000. These funds were used to build the new John Gaston Hospital which was dedicated in June of 1936.

1956

The E.H. Crump Hospital was constructed for the purpose of serving African-American patients.

1968

The Newborn Center opened its doors with a focus on reducing the infant mortality rate of African-Americans.

1983

The hospital was officially renamed the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, or The MED. The Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center also opened this year.

1985

The Burn Center opened.

1992

The Wound Center opened for the treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, failing skin grafts and infected amputations.

1993

The Burn Center was dedicated as the Firefighters Regional Burn Center and moved to its new home – Jesse Turner Tower. It is the only full-service burn center in a 150-mile radius of Memphis. The facility treats about 300 patients annually.

1994

The MedPlex Ambulatory Care Center opened to replace the aging Gailor Clinic as The MED’s outpatient treatment facility. Patients gained access to physicians in 40 areas of specialty and sub-specialty care.

1999

The MED and the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department entered into an understanding whereby The MED agreed to manage the six health department primary care clinics along with the four MED-owned community based clinics. The consolidated primary care network, known as the Health Loop, has more than 60,000 patient visits per year.

2001

The Mobile Wound Service was added to the Wound Center as a mobile clinic that serves patients on location in nursing homes.

2003

The Rehabilitation Hospital of Memphis opened its doors to fill the need of post-acute care for trauma, burn and stroke patients.

2004

The Newborn Center was dedicated as the Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center, after its founder and medical director.

Today

The MED is a nationally-recognized medical center that serves a 150-mile radius of Memphis which includes portions of six states. The original mission of service with a focus on public health is evident to this day.