Published on February 27, 2026
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Three Things to Know
- Phelps Health is celebrating 75 years of serving south-central Missouri in 2026.
- The health system began in 1951 as a 63-bed community hospital and has grown into a regional system serving more than 200,000 people.
- Community support, volunteers and donors have played a major role in expanding care and services over the years.
On March 12, 2026, Phelps Health celebrates 75 years of caring for the people of south-central Missouri.
What began in 1951 as Phelps County Memorial Hospital—a 63-bed hospital built through local determination and generosity—has grown into a regional health system serving more than 200,000 residents across six counties. For 75 years, Phelps Health has expanded services, advanced technology and strengthened partnerships so patients can receive high-quality care close to home.
Rolla, Missouri, has long served as a regional medical hub. From a Civil War field hospital in the Old Phelps County Courthouse to a makeshift facility in the former Hotel Baltimore, residents repeatedly stepped in to care for one another when resources were limited. When the Nelle McFarland Hospital closed in 1946, it underscored the dire need for a modern public hospital.
The response was swift and unified. Phelps County voters overwhelmingly passed a bond issue to fund construction. Dr. E. A. Scott of St. James closed his 10-bed hospital so the new facility could qualify for a federal grant. Residents raised $40,000 to equip patient rooms, with additional donations from local organizations and citizens. In 1949, construction began on the $1 million Phelps County Memorial Hospital on land donated by the Rolla Lions Club.
When the Hospital opened on March 12, 1951, 25 patients were admitted and 11 surgeries were performed in its first 3 days—a clear sign of how urgently it was needed.
Growth continued in the decades that followed. In 1979, a major expansion added 90 beds and doubled the Hospital’s size. In the 1980s, the organization became Phelps County Regional Medical Center to reflect its growing reach. In 2019, it was renamed Phelps Health to represent its fully integrated system of hospital services, clinics and specialty care.
Milestones followed, including expanded outpatient services, regional clinics and the opening of the Delbert Day Cancer Institute (DDCI) in 2017, bringing nationally accredited cancer care to Rolla. More recently, the health system launched a Weight Loss and Bariatric Center, introduced 24/7 STEMI heart attack care and opened a new EMS base to strengthen emergency response throughout the region.
Behind every advancement are people—caregivers, team members, volunteers, donors and patients whose stories shape the organization’s purpose.
“For 75 years, Phelps Health has grown, evolved and served our community because of the dedication of people who show up every day ready to make a difference,” said Somer Overshon, senior vice president and chief transformation officer at Phelps Health. “This milestone is a chance for all of us to come together, honor our history and look ahead to the future we’re building.”
Community support has remained central to that progress. The Phelps Health Auxiliary and Volunteer Services Department has contributed more than $3.5 million over 76 years, with volunteers giving more than 15,000 hours annually across 35 areas. Since 1996, the Phelps Health Foundation has secured over $19.5 million from more than 110,000 donors to fund lifesaving equipment, patient assistance and major initiatives such as the DDCI and the new EMS base. Each year, more than 1,400 patients receive support made possible by community generosity.
Today, Phelps Health employs around 2,000 team members and is licensed for 240 patient beds. While medicine and technology have advanced dramatically since 1951, its mission remains unchanged: to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare.
As part of the 75th anniversary celebration, Phelps Health invites community members to share their memories and stories at phelpshealth.org/75years. The yearlong celebration will honor the people and partnerships that shaped the past and look ahead to the promise of Going Beyond Better—its commitment to reimagining rural healthcare through leadership and trust.
“As we celebrate 75 years, I’m reminded that this health system was built by the community and for the community,” said Jason Shenefield, president and CEO of Phelps Health. “Every expansion, every new service and every life touched reflects the trust people have placed in us. We are grateful for the generations who believed in this mission, and we remain committed to advancing care for the next 75 years.”