Over three quarters of a century has passed since the Orleans County Memorial Hospital began serving this community. It had its beginning in May of 1919 when the dedicated group of public-spirited citizens of the North Country signed the Articles of Association and registered the Newport Hospital Association with the State of Vermont. After several years of raising funds, they broke ground in May, 1922 on Longview Street and two years later - on July 1, 1924 - the doors were opened at the 24-bed Orleans County Memorial Hospital, with 5 full time employees and a nursing school. For 49 years it served this community faithfully.

In the early 1970's, Orleans and Essex County citizens once again worked to raise funds for a new hospital - one that would have 80 beds, an OB/GYN department, pediatrics ward, intensive care/coronary unit, spacious quarters for radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, a hospital with a fully staffed twenty-four hour emergency service department, and a completely modern surgical suite. The new North Country Hospital on a 30 acre site on Prouty Drive opened its doors on January 5, 1974.

Since 1974, expansion and redevelopment of the original facility has included the imaging services, physical therapy, ancillary departments, library, business office, information systems, new ambulatory surgery suites, new birthing rooms, a mobile MRI site and three new buildings for physician practices in a medical village adjacent to the hospital. While continuing to replace old diagnostic equipment with new and to renovate and refit hospital space, hospital leaders planned for the future.

In September, 2001 the hospital broke ground for the largest building project since the hospital was built. No longer a high inpatient, long-length of stay facility, the hospital needed space for a wide range of services not even thought of 25 years ago. Completed in 2003, the new 28,614 square foot addition includes a state of the art surgical suite, new emergency department with indoor ambulance bays, outpatient services, and central sterilization and distribution department.

In 2004, the cafeteria was renovated into a stylish café and a complete remodeling of the Maternal Child Center on the second floor. In 2005 an expansion of diagnostic services into the old ER space was completed and a new suite for the Urology practice was built in the Medical Arts Building.

Thanks to a very successful community fund raising effort which led to an approval of the certificate of need, a 10 year challenge has finally been achieved. A dialysis center is being built in the 4,000 square foot ground floor space under the ED and will open in late spring of 2006. North Country Hospital and Health System will continue to meet the changing needs of our community following a systematic seven year space allocation plan approved by the trustees.

Our commitment continues to be to deliver quality health care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable to the residents of Orleans and Essex Counties. Our mission is to improve the health status of our communities by encouraging wellness, providing care to the ill, providing palliative care, actively collaborating on health initiatives, and supporting the improved economic health of the region.