Salem Memorial District Hospital

Our History

In 1965, Dr. Billy Jack Bass and a small group of concerned citizens began a conversation that set in motion a challenging yet meaningful journey—a journey to create better ways to meet the health needs of our region.

Five years later, their vision became a reality when Salem Memorial Hospital opened its doors to the community of Salem. Since 1970, we have remained a steadfast partner to our community, helping generation after generation achieve better health, close to home. Our commitment to excellence has never wavered: every patient, every encounter, every time.

Over the decades, Salem Memorial District Hospital—renamed to reflect its service to Dent County and three additional surrounding counties—has continued to grow, evolve, and adapt to the changing needs of the region. Some of our most notable milestones include:

- The transformation of one inpatient wing into a Long Term Care facility, later enhanced with a beautifully expanded dining room overlooking the countryside.

- The development of an Obstetrics Department, which later transitioned into an Outpatient Treatment and Ambulatory Surgery Clinic.

- The generous memorial gift from the family of Jean B. Weaver, which enabled the opening of a dialysis center—a service that remained in operation for many years before being discontinued in 2024.

- Construction of Physician Buildings 1, 2, and 3, supporting outpatient services, a specialty physician clinic, and Rehabilitation Services.

- Expansion and modernization of the Laboratory, Emergency, and Radiology Departments.

- Growth and relocation of Medical Records, Administration, Business Office, and Human Resources to improve efficiency and the patient experience.

- Addition of a new conference room/library and a dedicated computer lab for staff development and education.

For generations, Salem Memorial Hospital has been honored to play an essential role in the communities we serve. With your continued trust and support, we remain committed to providing the exceptional care you rely on—every patient, every encounter, every time.