ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Marks 90 Years of Serving the Community this May

This May, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital marks an important milestone – its 90th birthday.

Construction on the new Fostoria City Hospital was nearing completion when the country fell into a deep economic depression in 1929, but the construction continued, and it opened on May 3, 1930. The hospital initially had 30 beds, with no maternity ward, intensive care unit, or special treatment areas. During the first few years of operation, the hospital had only 12 total personnel, including the superintendent, six registered nurses, one bookkeeper, one cook, one maid and one janitor. The hospital was named Fostoria City Hospital until the 1990s until it was renamed Fostoria Community Hospital.

Throughout the years Fostoria Community Hospital experienced many major changes, expansions and growth, including new hospital units, medical services and technology. A few most notable changes came in the 2000s. In 2000, the hospital became affiliated with ProMedica, ending its independent, public healthcare status and becoming a private hospital. In 2002, the hospital underwent it’s largest expansion which included a 30,000-square-foot addition on the south side of the hospital's emergency center, a brand new surgery department on the second floor, and upgraded radiology and diagnostic imaging capabilities. Then in 2003, Fostoria Community Hospital became designated as a Critical Access Hospital through a federal program that entitles small, rural hospitals to Medicare cost reimbursement.

While the hospital has seen enormous growth and change to its facility, the dedicated, compassionate care it provides to patients has not changed. “What makes Fostoria Community Hospital what it is today – a strong, anchor institution – I think of the doctors, nurses and staff. The individuals working at the hospital are committed to the Fostoria community and caring for the people they call their neighbors,” says Tom Borer, vice president of operations, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital.

“Patients in the community can trust that when they walk through the doors of Fostoria Community Hospital, they will be seen by compassionate, dedicated staff, many of which have worked at the hospital since the start of their career,” said Marsha Cushman, DO, chief of staff, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital.

Becky Bouillon, RN, community outreach coordinator, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, has worked at the hospital for over 42 years. As a lifelong resident of Fostoria, she is proud to have found a career in the town where she grew up. “The family atmosphere and caring employees are what has made my career at Fostoria Community Hospital so special. The names, faces and uniforms have changed, but the community commitment and focus on patient health has not,” she said. “If I had to do it all over again, I would choose to be a nurse at this community hospital.” “We’re really proud of our roots in the Fostoria community,” said Pam Jensen, president, regional acute care - Ohio and support services, ProMedica. “We understand that having access to high quality care is a critical part of a person’s health and well-being, and we’re always evaluating our programs and services to ensure we’re providing essential services to the community.”

Fostoria Community Hospital had a 90th anniversary celebration planned for staff and the community on May 11, 2020, but the hospital has postponed the gathering due to the Coronavirus. A new date will be determined later this year.

ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital is a member of ProMedica, a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated healthcare organization headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. ProMedica serves communities in 28 states. The organization offers acute and ambulatory care, an insurance company with a dental plan, and post-acute and academic business lines. The organization has more than 56,000 employees, 13 hospitals, 2,100+ physicians and advanced practice providers with privileges, 900+ healthcare providers employed by ProMedica Physicians, a health plan, and nearly 400 assisted living facilities, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, memory care communities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies. Driven by its Mission to improve your health and well-being, ProMedica has been nationally recognized for its advocacy programs and efforts to address social determinants of health. For more information about ProMedica, please visit www.promedica.org/aboutus.

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