History A History of Medical Care in Zeeland, Michigan

In 1921, Mrs. John (Emma De Witt) Hendricks provided medical care in her home at 345 East Central Avenue in Zeeland. She received her nursing degree by mail from the Chicago School of Nursing. At times she cared for as many as seven patients in her home, which was sometimes called, "The Emergency Ward."

The following timeline traces medical care in our community. From its beginning to today, ZCH has been committed to providing personal, compassionate, high quality care. Take a moment to experience the unfolding of ZCH's rich history.

Citizens realized the need for a hospital. In May, a fund drive for the new hospital was organized by the Exchange Club with a goal of raising $17,500. The fund drive was such a success that on June 16 (just six weeks later) it was announced that the goal has been surpassed by $5,500!

On July 15, the Board of Trustees of the Dr. Thomas G. Huizinga Memorial Hospital (original name of Zeeland Community Hospital) held its first meeting at the Zeeland State Bank.

Members present:

The Dr. Thomas G. Huizinga Memorial Hospital opened with 10 beds. Mr. and Mrs. George Huizinga donated the former Van Sytzama home on Central Avenue for a non-profit hospital. The three-story hospital was named in honor of Dr. Thomas G. Huizinga, one of Zeeland's first physicians. It was supervised by Mrs. John Hendricks.

Maternity stays were 10 days and cost $50. Nurses received a salary of $85 per month.

On June 14, the ZCH Board of Directors purchased property on the corner of Taft and Central. Ground was broken on December 2.

The Hospital Service League was organized.

On May 22, the 40-bed hospital opened to accommodate the needs of a growing community. The hospital name was changed to Zeeland Community Hospital on September 17.

"Since the erection of the new hospital building with its increased facilities and wider outreach in its services, and with the greater participation of the surrounding communities it supports, it was therefore felt by the Board that the name of the hospital should be changed to have a larger than mere local appeal and to represent the inclusion of this entire area." --Excerpt from Board Minutes

ZCH proudly received a certificate of accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, a national organization that sets quality standards, evaluates and accredits hospitals, home care agencies and other healthcare organizations.

A two-story addition expands the north side of the hospital and allows for 21 more beds on the first floor. The second floor medical/surgical unit remained unfinished, allowing for future growth.

ZCH began purchasing property adjacent to the hospital for future growth.

A remodeling project for the second floor medical/surgical unit was completed making room for expansion in the Laboratory, Radiology, Outpatient Surgery, Maternity Services and Pharmacy departments. The Cardiopulmonary department and Gift Shop were added. At the dedication, ZCH adopted the motto "Caring people... caring for people."

Intermed Service began.
First specialty clinic opened, bringing specialists closer to area patients.

Images Mammography Clinic opened.

A new Surgery area, Intensive Care Unit, Central Supply and Lobby were added to the hospital.

Specialty clinic services were expanded to include Cardiology.

Maternity Services were expanded to include birthing suites.

In May, ZCH purchased a permanent, state-of-the-art computerized tomography (CT) scanner.

ZCH was named one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the United States by HCIA/Mercer Management Consulting in November 1993.

Surgery expanded its services in May to include total knee and joint hip replacements.

The hospital became a voluntary partner in the Butterworth Regional Health Network in August. The network is designed to strengthen hospitals, improve care and promote cost savings. Preserving community hospital independence is a cornerstone of the network.

In December, the hospital purchased the practice of Georgetown Family Physicians in Hudsonville.

A three-story medical office building, which is connected to the hospital, opened in January. It includes conference rooms and offices for primary care physicians and ZCH administrators.

In March, a newly expanded Outpatient Surgical Services opened with its own entrance, lobby, and registration area and private outpatient rooms.

In May, the hospital established Family Life Medical Care, a practice owned and operated by the hospital.

Renovating began in the winter to expand the Lobby, Pharmacy, Radiology, Laboratory and Emergency Departments to better serve the growing number of outpatients.

Hospital purchased Family Practice Associates of Zeeland.

A Pain Management Clinic specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions opened in the hospital in April.

Committed to improve the community health status, ZCH developed partnerships with area schools through the Learn For Life! program and with area churches through the Health Team Ministry program. Expansion of educational programs and events continue to meet the changing health needs of the community.

ZCH's Family Birth Center was one of the first birthing centers in West Michigan to offer families two new technologies -- an electronic security system and infant hearing screening.

Georgetown Physicians in Hudsonville opened a new 16,000 square foot office. The new office includes on-site mammography, laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic services, plus specialty clinics.

ZCH earned a patient satisfaction rating of 96+% in a study conducted by an independent research company, setting the benchmark for over 45 Midwest hospitals.

The Zeeland Community Hospital Foundation was established to raise support for community services, charitable card and hospital advancements.

ZCH celebrates 75 years of being "Caring people...caring for people." From "Random Acts of Caring" to a community-wide "Birthday Bash", community members young and old help us celebrate with a celebrity softball game, fireworks and a free benefit concert.

In August, Cardiology added transeseophagael echnocardiogram (TEE) to the many tests performed in the Cardiology Clinic.

In January, a press conference was held and ZCH announced that it will build a new hospital at the intersection of Old Chicago Drive and Washington Street in Zeeland. Attached to the four-level main hospital facility is a two-story professional office building and a medical office building. Incorporating the latest in healthcare design, the new hospital facility will honor the community’s past. The base of the hospital will feature dark-red bricks that resemble the historic Veneklassen bricks popular among Dutch immigrants who settled this area in 1947. Balancing out the dark-red brick with a modern look are two lighter shades of brick. The certificate of need was approved by the State of Michigan in July.

A new team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians, specially trained in both adult and pediatric emergency care, joined the ZCH team. New technology, protocols and procedures in the Emergency Room provided patients a higher level of service but still with focused, personal care.

The Diabetes Center opens in January. The comprehensive program addresses the specific needs of an individual with diabetes and in its first year, 426 people joined the center.

Henry Veenstra celebrated 30 years of service as president of ZCH in February, 33 years as an employee.

In May, ZCH was recognized for its excellence in improving patient care by the State of Michigan. ZCH received the Michigan Peer Review Organization's most prestigious award – the 2003 Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Hospital Setting and also the 2003 Governor's Award for Excellence for Improving Care in the Emergency Department Setting.

On June 21, official construction of the 40-acre ZCH healthcare campus began. The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the hospital's rich history and was attended by legislators, community members and ZCH physicians and staff. It was also a day that recognized the hospital as a key healthcare provider in a large regional healthcare network.

The Service League celebrated its 50th anniversary in April. Volunteers were honored “for being an integral part of the hospital and for their dedication and willingness to give of their time and talents.”

In May, ZCH established an affiliation with DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids to help improve pediatric care in the region. The affiliation provides an opportunity for pediatric speciality services and continuing professional education.

ZCH was recognized for award-winning care. For the second year, the hospital received the 2004 Governor’s Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Hospital Setting and also the 2004 Governor’s Award for Excellence for Improving Care in the Emergency Department Setting.

The hospital also received another distinguished award when it was recognized as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies for Work In October, Arbor Associates, an independent research company, announced that ZCH and its medical office practices had the highest patient satisfaction in 2005. The survey was conducted in 50 Midwest hospitals.

The new Zeeland Community Hospital “Opens Doors to Extraordinary Care” on April 26, 2006.

In January, a partnership is established between ZCH and Holland Hospital which enables us to add outpatient rehabilitation services to the ZCH campus.

Hospitalist program is implemented in April to improve patient care.

ZCH receives an award for achieving the best patient satisfaction scores. Arbor Associates, an independent research firm, conducts the survey of over 40 hospitals in the Midwest.

Learn for Life! ZCH’s school health initiative program expands to provide health education services to the Hudsonville School District.

ZCH started the New Year tobacco free as the hospital implemented a Tobacco/Smoke Free policy to all properties owned by the hospital.

In January, a Business Wellness Program was added to help West Michigan employers develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. ZCH has joined forces with OnSite Wellness, LLC to provide this service.

ZCH introduced technologies that provides enhanced patient care:

• Specialized surgical laparoscopic technique shortens hysterectomy recovery time
• ZCH was the first hospital in West Michigan to offer a less invasive procedure to address sinus issues. Benefits of balloon sinuplasty to the patient includes shorten recovery time and reduced pain.
• Combining cell phones, with cardiac monitoring systems, ZCH began offering the latest in Holter Monitor Technology.
• ZCH began a formal collaboration with Spectrum Health’s Meijer Heath Center to ensure the fastest delivery of care of patients experiencing the most critical type of heart attack. Called the STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarcation) Alert Process, the goal of the collaboration is to have critical heart attack patients stabilized at Spectrum Health’s Meijer Heart Center and receiving a cardiac catherization within 90 minutes of the patient’s arrival at ZCH.

It's an award winning year as ZCH is recognized with these awards:

2009-2010 Hospital Value Index™: Best in Value™ Award
This national award recognizes ZCH efforts in quality, affordability, efficiency and patient satisfaction.

2009 Arbor Associates Best in Patient Satisfaction Award
This is the third consecutive year that ZCH receives this award from Arbor Associates, Inc., an independent research firm.

2009 Modern Healthcare Best Places to Work in Healthcare
ZCH ranks as one of the 100 best healthcare employers in the country.

2009 West Michigan 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
2009 marks the fifth consecutive year that ZCH receives this recognition from the Michigan Business & Professional Associates.

Physician Offices Receive Patient Centered Medical Home Status
Zeeland Physicians and Georgetown Physicians receive Patient Centered Medical Home status. This designation confirms, among other things, that the care offered at each practice is centered around the individual needs of the patient, led by the patient’s personal physician, conveniently accessed and meets the patient’s physical, medical and mental needs.

New Endocrinology Services
In February, ZCH expands its services to include Endocrinology Care when Philip Tate, MD, joins the ZCH care team. Dr. Tate has an extensive background in internal medicine and general endocrinology. He also serves as Medical Director of The Diabetes Center at ZCH.

New Urgent Care Services
In April, ZCH begins providing Urgent Care services for minor illnesses and injuries. The new before-school, after-work and weekend service is located within the hospital, steps away from X-ray, laboratory, cardiopulmonary and emergency services. Most prescriptions given during a ZCH Urgent Care visit can be filled immediately at the hospital’s new InstyMeds™ medication dispenser, the first in the area.

ZCH  begins offering the latest in mammography screening technology - Selenia™ digital mammography.  Digital mammograms provide incredibly sharp images of the breast in a matter of seconds In addition to offering the new technology and service, ZCH carries the distinction of being a certified Pink Ribbon Facility. This privilege is awarded only to an elite group of healthcare facilities. By offering women digital mammograms, and as a Pink Ribbon Facility, ZCH hopes to increase the number of area women who follow recommendations for regular screenings.