<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2grqVi_1GxpObY300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2grqVi_1GxpObY300" width="350" height="500" ><figcaption>Chris Stipe</figcaption></figure>This December, Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) will celebrate 75 years of serving the healthcare needs of Guthrie County and surrounding communities. In this month’s Q&amp;A, Chris Stipe, GCH chief executive officer, and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation director, share details about the hospital’s past, present and future.Stipe has held the top job at GCH since August 2023. He has more than 25 years of rural hospital and health care management work experience.Flanery served six years as a Guthrie County Hospital Trustee and 20 years on the GCH Foundation Board. He has been foundation director since 2022.Q. Dennis, as we near the hospital’s 75th anniversary in December, please share some of its history.A. The hospital’s formation, financing and construction were the result of more than a decade of planning by community leaders who recognized the importance of local access to quality health care. The first board of trustees, appointed by the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, convened in 1944 during World War II to identify a suitable site and select an architectural firm.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Djxsp_1GxpObY300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Djxsp_1GxpObY300" width="350" height="500" ><figcaption>Dennis Flanery</figcaption></figure>Construction bids were awarded in 1949 for a hospital to be built on donated land along North 12th Street in Guthrie Center. The project was completed with an official dedication Oct. 7, 1951.Over the years, GCH has grown from providing basic medical care into a modern Critical Access Hospital. It has been affiliated with UnityPoint Health since 2014. Continued growth through additions and renovations expanded both specialty offerings and advanced services to meet the needs of the community.In 1963, additional medical and surgical patient rooms were added. This was followed by the addition of therapy and dining spaces in 2005, expanded radiology, pharmacy and an ambulance garage in 2007, and a new surgical suite and cardiac rehabilitation area in 2009. In 2010, the hospital further expanded with additional patient rooms and a specialty clinic area.Current GCH trustees are Cheryl Marks, board chair; Doug Kent, vice chair; Mike Underwood, treasurer; Dana Tews, secretary; Mary Jane Carothers; Sheyrl Clark; and Doris Terwilliger.Q. Chris, now you’re in the midst of a major construction project. Tell us what updates are being made.A. When I took on my role as CEO three years ago, limited planning had been done for a project roughly half the size of what we are now building. Our administrative team and the governing board realized the need for a more comprehensive project to meet the long-term health care needs of the community.We required additional square footage and more efficient spaces that would empower our staff to deliver the absolute best care, improve privacy for patients and families and improve safety and infection prevention. We chose to add-on and renovate spaces that would produce a modern hospital that would improve the flow of patient care and improve access to the facility’s services. This project is an investment in the future of health care in this county that will allow the hospital to grow and compete, even with West Des Moines facilities.Q. What are some of the changes in space and services that will be new once construction is complete?A. Our project includes 17,000 square feet of new space and 34,000 square feet of remodeled space. There is a lot of excitement about the new MRI that will be added to our imaging lineup. New construction includes a new lobby, additional clinic space, a new laboratory and some new Emergency spaces. A new kitchen, serving area and dining area will allow our food service to all be in one location. There will be a new conference center that will be available for limited use by the public. About 75% of the building will be impacted positively.Q. What’s the project’s timeline?A. Groundbreaking was in March 2026. Construction will last two-and-a-half years with the work completed in several phases. The first phase will open in the summer of 2027, and the MRI could be operational in April or May of 2027.Q. Dennis, the hospital’s history includes the development of primary care clinics throughout Guthrie County. Tell us more about the clinics.A. To continue expanding access to primary care services across Guthrie County, the hospital established rural health clinics in Panora, Adair and Stuart, and a provider-based clinic in Guthrie Center.The Panora Clinic opened in August 1999 and moved to a new location in 2022, expanding services with two physicians and a midlevel provider offering a walk-in clinic. The Adair Clinic followed with an opening in November 2000.The Stuart Clinic opened in November 2011. On October 16 of this year, a new physical therapy and rehabilitation facility opened in a separate building GCH purchased and remodeled. This made it possible to expand pediatric space in the existing Stuart Clinic and add more services.The Guthrie Center Clinic initially began with a part-time provider and expanded in 2025 to offer healthcare services four days a week staffed by a nurse practitioner. These clinics serve as critical access points for comprehensive primary care and play an integral role in ensuring continuity of care for residents throughout the county.Q. Dennis, what role does the GCH Foundation perform in support of the hospital?A. Founded in 1995, the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation was organized to generate and manage donations to GCH. The foundation is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. This makes it possible for individuals, corporations and private foundations to receive allowable tax benefits for donations. The foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to Guthrie County Hospital to be used to offer quality healthcare close to home.The foundation is governed by a nine-member board. Kim Finnegan is the current chair with Steve Smith as vice chair, Laura Stetzel as treasurer and Nancy Armstrong as secretary. Other board members are Maggie Armstrong, Rylee Bailey, Kirby Klinge, Shelby Lewis and Tom Godwin.Q. Chris, any final words about the Guthrie County Hospital?A. Guthrie County Hospital serves our entire county and has patients from surrounding counties. It is a strong, high-performing hospital. I believe our dedicated and capable staff and medical team are the best in the state.Their commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care has been recognized through many performance and quality distinctions, including designation as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in 2022 by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.This year, GCH received an Excellence in Patient Experience Award from NRC Health, recognizing our patient satisfaction scores were in the top 10% in the country. The hospital also received the Culture Excellence and Industry Award from Top Workplaces, based on GCH employee engagement. Q. Dennis, let’s wrap this up by telling readers about the upcoming 75th anniversary event.A. Guthrie County Hospital opened its doors on Dec. 3, 1951. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, we’re hosting a family event Dec. 3, 2026.We’ll have an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at the hospital’s Sneakers Cafe. Guests can enjoy a free meal featuring hamburgers grilled by the Guthrie County Cattlemen’s Association, a hot cocoa, coffee and cider bar, cupcakes and a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Bring the family and celebrate this special milestone with us.</div></body>

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This December, Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) will celebrate 75 years of serving the healthcare needs of Guthrie County and surrounding communities. In this month’s Q&A, Chris Stipe, GCH chief executive officer, and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation director, share details about the hospital’s past, present and future. Stipe has...

GCH MARKS 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

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This December, Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) will celebrate 75 years of serving the healthcare needs of Guthrie County and surrounding communities. In this

GCH MARKS 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

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