About UCMH

Dear Patient:

Welcome to Unicoi County Memorial Hospital, Inc. We want to make sure that you are satisfied with the care you receive. If at any time you are not satisfied, please let us know. All of our staff is committed to your care and we want to make sure your stay as pleasant as possible.

If you need to talk to me for any reason, please call. My office number is 423-743-1202 and my home phone number is 423-743-7819. We again want to make sure that we provide you and your family with the very best of care.

Yours in service,

Jim Pate
Chief Executive Officer

History of UCMH

Climaxing years of effort by many citizens of the community, the first patient was admitted to Unicoi County Memorial Hospital on February 1, l 953. The 40-bed structure was built with funds from the city, county, and federal governments.

The first Board of Control, comprised of three representatives elected by the Unicoi County Court and three elected by the Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen, met on June 21, 1950. Two years later, the Board’s membership was enlarged to include the Chief of the Hospital Medical Staff.

Several additions have been made to the original hospital structure. Funds donated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Foreman were used to construct a larger laboratory in 1962. In October of 1969, a 27-bed Long-term Care Unit was opened and in 1977, an additional 19 Long-term beds were added. Also in 1977, a new surgery suite, kitchen, and dining room were added along with complete renovation of all general hospital rooms, the emergency room and Business Office. In 1978, a doctors’ building consisting of two identical suites was built on hospital grounds. A third Suite was added in 1980. In 1982, these buildings were named the Pauline A. Vaughn Medical Building in honor of Mrs. Vaughn who retired after years of service as Administrator. In 1985, hospital services were improved and expanded with the addition of a new laboratory, radiology, and medical records facility. In 1987, a new 2-bed Intensive Care Unit was opened. The fourth doctors’ building was completed in 1989. Also in 1989, the operating and recovery rooms were renovated. In 1990, a CT scanner was installed and the hospital nursing wing completely renovated. In 1993, a new maintenance facility was built and an x-ray addition was added to the doctors’ building. In 1994, the hospital purchased additional land for future expansion and a C-Arm was donated to the hospital by the estate of Annie McFall.

January 1999, saw the completion of the emergency room renovation and the expansion of materials management, offices and several departments. The front of the hospital was improved and renovated in August 2001.