South Haven’s first hospital was opened in the early 1900's. It contained six beds and was a two-story building at the corner of Center and Erie Streets. The second hospital, built in 1908, was a brick building located at the corner of Center and Green Streets. In 1919, the building and hospital’s management was transferred to the City of South Haven. In June, 1942, a new 40-bed colonial-style hospital was constructed at the present site on South Bailey Avenue, and in 1951 a 27-bed addition was opened.
On January 1, 1962, the City of South Haven turned the hospital over to the newly-formed South Haven Health System Authority. Governmental units participating in the Authority included the Cities of Bangor and South Haven, and the Townships of Arlington, Bangor, Columbia, Covert, Geneva, and South Haven in Van Buren County, and the Township of Casco in Allegan County. The hospital is governed by a Board of Trustees representing these areas. One member of the Board is appointed from each of these governmental units, and they in turn elect seven members at large to comprise the sixteen-member Hospital Board.
In 1965, another addition to the hospital was completed, including 30 additional beds, a new dietary department, a new surgical suite and recovery room, a new obstetrical department, and a new laundry. Additional space was also provided for physical therapy, diagnostic x-ray, laboratory and administration. In February of 1970 the first coronary care unit was put into temporary operation in a former four-bed ward. In 1972 a 5-bed combined critical care unit was completed and certified by the Michigan Department of Public Health. Additional renovations in 1981 included a new emergency treatment area and expansions to the laboratory, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and patient care areas. In 1986 a medical office building was constructed on the east side of the hospital to house several medical offices and the rehabilitation department (PT, OT, speech therapy).
In 1994 SHHS opened a new surgical department. A community fund drive called “Operation: Partnership” raised over $700,000 toward this needed renovation. In the late 1990’s the hospital completely renovated the main entrance and expanded the Emergency Department to accommodate steady growth in patients. A new Auxiliary Coffee & Gift shop was created adjacent to the new main lobby. As SHHS approached the year 2000, plans were already underway toward significant renovations of the hospital and campus, including new equipment and technology. A few years later, this comprehensive plan was implemented, and ground was broken for a new Shoreline Women’s Center to be placed on the west side of the hospital along Bailey Avenue. This facility was opened in December, 2004.
In addition to the new Shoreline Women’s Center, the hospitals Radiology & Imaging Department was completely renovated. A new suite was created for a wide range of nuclear medicine studies. A new Fluoroscopy Suite was built and equipped to provide gastrointestinal studies, such as “upper and lower GI studies”. New suites for mammography, ultrasound and bone density were created right next to the Women’s Center for convenience when women needed these diagnostic studies, and could now access them in conjunction with their doctor’s appointment.
The SHHS Radiology & Imaging Department has now established a digital platform for the vast majority of its imaging studies, converting to a “filmless” system. This level of technology, called a PACS system (Picture Archiving Computer System) has been in use at South Haven Hospital since 2003. Results are now available on CD’s instead of film, and a major benefit of this system is that the doctors who have ordered the imaging studies can now access these images through their computers with the use of a password. The doctor can view the images from a remote location and discuss the findings with the Radiologist over the phone while both are viewing the image from different locations. A new 64-slice CT scanner was added to the imaging capabilities at the hospital in 2006.
The hospital established and maintains an Infusion and Treatment Center on the main floor adjacent to the interior courtyard, creating a pleasant environment for patients to receive a variety of IV treatments, such as chemotherapy, IV antibiotics, or blood transfusions.
The hospital’s inpatient rooms on the second floor, including the Medical/Surgical Pediatric and Intensive Care unit known as the Special Care Unit (SCU) have also been completely renovated and converted entirely to private rooms. This conversion was done specifically to provide a more convenient, comfortable and private environment for hospital patients, while also reducing the risk of spreading infection among patients. This overall project included several “behind the scenes” upgrades such as upgrading the air-handling systems, installing high-efficiency and improved lighting, and converting older windows to newer and better-insulated ones.
The Birthing Center renovation was completed in February 2009 to provide a safe, comfortable environment for families during labor, delivery and recovery. Offering three birthing rooms for use during labor and delivery, one birthing room has a specially-designed “birthing tubs” in the birthing rooms in order to offer the water birthing option for mothers-to-be. The C-section suite renovation allows more time for mom and baby to bond after delivery.
Two special suites have been created to provide “sleep studies” in which a patient is monitored during their sleep in order to diagnose a variety of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, where a person ceases breathing for brief periods during sleep.
The latest addition to the hospital’s campus was opened in late 2007 on the west side of Bailey Avenue with the brand-new Shoreline Wellness & Rehabilitation Center. In addition to a gift of a portion of the existing building and property by the Murk Family of South Haven, over $1.25 million was raised toward the construction of this 60,000 square foot facility, complete with locker rooms and an aquatic center. This site provides an ideal location for the hospital’s medically-based rehabilitation programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as programs for orthopedic services and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The public may also access the Center as a Health Club, with access to state-of-the-art exercise equipment as well as exercise physiologists and personal trainers. This facility also provided new office space for the South Haven Orthopedics practice and Shoreline Occupational Medicine.
In early 2008, the hospital’s Cooper Medical Clinic in nearby Bangor was completely renovated. That office, as well as the Covert Medical Center, provide local access to physicians and medical providers for people living in and near those communities, and have been in operation for several years.
SHHS continues to update its technology and campus facilities, attract qualified physicians and medical providers, and to plan for the future in order to continue to provide our area residents and visitors with the right care, right here.
South Haven Health System is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, accrediting agency.