Carroll County Memorial Hospital in Carrollton is proud to recognize the innovation, quality of care and dedication of health professionals and volunteers in its community during National Rural Health Day 2020.

A release from the hospital says National Rural Health Day was founded as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related challenges; and promote the efforts of National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those challenges.

National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of people across the nation.

An estimated 57 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States.

CCMH started out as a vision to provide the community with necessary rural healthcare and saw its first patient nearly 60 years ago.

“CCMH has been dedicated to the health and well-being of all we serve,” CCMH CEO Jeff Tindle said. “We are honored to be approaching a milestone anniversary in 2021.”

On March 12, 1957, 51 Carroll County residents met at Ruth’s restaurant with one primary goal in common. The goal was to establish a unified healthcare facility. On that date, Carroll County Memorial Hospital Association, a not-for-profit, non-tax supported corporation, was formed. On March 28, 1961, CCMH opened its doors and its first patient was admitted into the new facility on June 16.