Picture of a Graphic that says:
100 Years (MBH Logo)
MARSHALL BROWNING HOSPITAL
A Century of Caring
Marshall Browning Hospital to Celebrate 100th Anniversary
DU QUOIN, IL - April 29, 2022-- Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin is proud to announce it will celebrate its 100th anniversary later this year with a community-wide celebration on Sunday, September 18. The community will begin to see commemorative billboards as well as a large banner on the hospital and light pole banners on Main Street. Details about the celebration will be shared closer to the event.
Marshall Browning Hospital was conceived on January 14, 1918, when Lillie F. Browning drew up her last will and testament, leaving the bulk of her estate to a trust which would have the responsibility of erecting and supporting a public hospital in or near Du Quoin. She requested the hospital be named in memory of her husband "Marshall" - J. Marshall Browning, who was the president of the Union Coal Company and a leading merchant in Du Quoin for many years.
Following Mrs. Browning's death, and in accord with her desires, a trust was organized, and corporation papers were completed on April 12, 1919. The trust included by-laws that were very specific in that care should be provided to all and not related to the ability to pay. She further charged that a Board of Directors be appointed with full powers to carry out her wishes. She provided that Board with the responsibility of operating the hospital in a sound manner and included discretionary powers as to the limits of charity or free care. She noted that "The hospital shall never be sectarian or partisan nor for the personal advantage of any, and that the efficient and intelligent relief of human suffering shall always be the chief object in view."
The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the trust, now known as the "Marshall Browning Hospital Association" was held on April 17, 1919. Marion Teague was elected president, Louis R. Kelly, secretary and Lucius Smith, treasurer. The remaining two members were James Forrester and Harry C. Miller. By-laws were drawn and approved, clearly defining the duties and responsibilities of all board members.
One of the first actions of this Board was to purchase 20 acres of land at the north end of Washington Street from the Illinois Central Railroad. The price - $3,114.50. After acquiring the site for the new hospital, construction bids were approved on February 21, 1921. General construction was awarded to H. B. Kravel for the sum of $131,932. The bid of $31.00 per 1,000 bricks was approved with the Western Brick Company. The new hospital was completed and formally opened for business on July 20, 1922.
Today, 100 years later, Marshall Browning Hospital is licensed as a twenty-five-bed Critical Access Hospital known for providing quality medical, surgical, and emergency health services for the residents of Du Quoin and the surrounding areas. To this day, the hospital operates under the same principles as in 1922 but is vastly different in the scope and diversity of services that are now available.
"Marshall Browning Hospital has strived to be a valuable resource to the community for 100 years," said Larry Spour, CEO. "Our current mission 'to improve the health and quality of life for the people and communities we serve' continues the focus of the founding members and principles of Lillie Browning's original goal. We look forward to celebrating this remarkable milestone with the families in our community."
