History

For more than 80 years, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics has enjoyed a rich history of helping families throughout south central Iowa and beyond.

1935 – Knoxville’s first hospital (corner of Montgomery and Seventh Streets) is founded and operated by Dr. Roy Vinton Mater and his son, Dr. Dwight Albert Mater. The converted two-story house houses 12 patient beds, obstetrics, and surgical areas.

1940 – In March, the 27-bed Collins Memorial Hospital is opened. The building and grounds are deeded to the City of Knoxville by the Collins family in memory of Lafe Saxton Collins (1865-1926) and Rema (Fry) Collins (1892-1938), the father and wife of Jackson (Jay) Lafayette Collins (1893-1973).

1948 – Collins Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Iowa Hospital Association and American Hospital Association.

1963 – When the lease between the City of Knoxville and Collins Memorial Hospital expires the hospital is purchased by the Mater Clinic Group (Drs. D. A. Mater, C. R. Burroughs, D. H. Hake, Robert McClung, and Earl McKeever).

1965 – Collins Memorial Hospital undergoes several renovations following purchase, including an addition in 1965 and a two-story wing in July 1966 that increased the capacity of the hospital to 54 beds.

1967 – The Melcher-Dallas Medical Center opens, made possible by the Sears Roebuck Foundation who financed construction, and $46,000 from Melcher area organizations and churches. Beginning in December 1982, the medical center is staffed by physicians from the Mater Clinic and later named the E.J. McKeever Medical Center in honor of the long-time physician.

1968 – Dr. John Griffith joins the Mater Clinic and a coronary care unit opens at the hospital. Dr. Paul Todd joins the clinic in 1970. From 1974-1976, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, a psychology clinic, and an updated obstetrics department are added to the hospital.

Late 1970s – The five doctors of the Mater Clinic (Drs. Mater, McClung, McKeever, Griffin, and Todd) donate the current hospital at the time, Collins Memorial Hospital, to the newly formed nonprofit foundation, Knoxville Community Hospital, Inc., to build a new, larger hospital.

1981 – On February 12, at a cost of approximately $8 million, the Knoxville Area Community Hospital opens.

2001 – In November, construction to renovate the hospital, clinic, and lobby begins and is completed in various phases. An open house is held in September of 2003 to showcase the remodeled spaces.

2002 – In December, Knoxville Area Community Hospital & Clinics is designated a Critical Access Hospital with 25 inpatient beds.

2003 – In January, the Knoxville Area Community Hospital & Clinics purchases the Iowa Health Physicians Clinic. The clinic is renamed Knoxville Hospital Clinic.

2003 – In September, the Knoxville Area Community Hospital & Clinics Foundation is reorganized with the main goal of raising funds for the hospital. It’s first major gift is a bequest of $45,000 from the Earl VandeWalker Estate. Since re-establishment, the Foundation has purchased many pieces of life-saving equipment and helped fund several remodeling/expansion projects.

2005 – In April, Knoxville Area Community Hospital & Clinics purchases and opens the Pleasantville Clinic.

2006 – In honor of the facility’s 25^th anniversary in February, the Knoxville Area Community Hospital & Clinics is renamed Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.

2011 – In May, the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Board of Trustees announce the signing of a new management agreement with Mercy Medical Center. Knoxville native Kevin Kincaid joins staff as Chief Executive Officer.

2013 – In April, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics and 21^st Century Rehab partner to provide physical and occupational therapy services.

2013 – Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is awarded with the Excellence in Patient Care from the Studer Group.

2014 – Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is recognized as the Business IMPACT of the Year at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

2014 – In September, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics breaks ground on a $15 million major renovation and construction project that includes a new main entrance, lobby and admitting area, primary care clinic, and physical therapy department, renovations to inpatient rooms, and the emergency and surgical departments. A grand opening celebration is held in June of 2016.

2017 – In March, Peoples Bank donates their former Pleasantville bank building to Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.

2017 – In June, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is the first medical facility in Iowa to perform total and partial knee replacement surgery using NAVIO robotics-assisted technology under the direction of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Todd Peterson.

2017 – In August, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics opens the Red Rock Healthcare – Pella Clinic.

2019 – In November, longtime physician Dr. Earl McKeever retires after practicing medicine for 56 years at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.

2019 – In January, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is awarded the Best of Red Rock Area’s “Best Place to Work” (50-250 employees).

2020 – In January, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is awarded the Best of Red Rock Area’s “Best Place to Work” (50-250 employees) and “Best Hospitality”.

2020 – In February, Knoxville Hospital & Clinic is recognized as a 2020 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

2020 – In October, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Foundation begins fundraising for an exciting – and necessary – renovation to our Emergency Room. This investment will increase staff workspace and provide additional private rooms for patient care, with a focus on mental health care.