History of Holzer Consolidated Health Systems

Holzer Health Systems

	Home converted to a 7 bed infirmary

With facilities in Gallipolis, Jackson, and Bidwell, Holzer Consolidated Health Systems provides a comprehensive range of health care to the residents of the Southeastern Ohio Valley and beyond. From traditional hospital and clinical services to state-of-the-art cardiovascular and cancer care, we have dedicated nearly a century of growth to better serving the health care needs of our patients and the community.
In 1909, Dr. Charles E. Holzer, Sr. and his wife Alma, a registered nurse, worked together to convert a private home into a seven bed infirmary. Dr. Holzer had come to Gallipolis as a resident surgeon for the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics. As the only surgeon in a rural community, Dr. Holzer not only responded to requests beyond his official duties, but began to consider a lifelong career in Gallipolis meeting the health needs of the thriving river community.

	Charles E. Holzer, Sr., Alma V. Holzer, and Charles E. Holzer, Jr.

As word spread of the quality care offered by the Holzers, demand for a new and more versatile structure culminated in the first Holzer Hospital. At first accommodating only 25 beds, by 1929 the Hospital had grown into a small medical center. It continued to grow through additions over the next fifty-five years to become a landmark in the heart of downtown Gallipolis, OH.

In 1949, Dr. Holzer transferred ownership of the growing hospital to the people of the Ohio Valley by forming the Holzer Hospital Foundation. During that same year, Dr. Charles E. Holzer, Jr., Dr. Holzer’s son, became instrumental in the formation of the Holzer Clinic, a multi-specialty group practice which today offers the services of more than one hundred participating physicians.
The 1960's heralded a time of transition, during which the trustees of the Holzer Hospital and Medical Center agreed to merge, making possible the construction of a much larger and more modern facility. The 269 bed Holzer Medical Center opened its doors in May of 1972.

	"Holzer History on Display" Located near the Conference Center.

In the new century, we continue to maintain Dr. Holzer’s foresight and vision, taking as our motto his son’s compassionate words: “The patient is the center of all we do.” Our mission is to encourage wellness and strive to improve the health of the people and the communities we serve, providing the most modern health care, diagnostics, and treatments available.

Holzer Senior Care Center, Holzer Home Care, Holzer Hospice, and Holzer Assisted Living have all been added in order to expand the continuum of quality health care provided through Holzer Health Systems.
Holzer Medical Center, Jackson opened in late 2000, featuring a 24-hour Emergency Department with physicians on site and a 33-bed inpatient unit.

In 2002 and 2005, the need for convenient, state-of-the-art heart and cancer care led to a partnership between Holzer Medical Center and the Holzer Clinic in the development of the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute and the Holzer Center for Cancer Care.

Looking to the future, the challenge remains to accomplish even greater advances. This is a vital part of the legacy passed on to us by the Holzers. Moving forward with determination and commitment, we will be guided by the compassionate words of Dr. Chalres E Holzer, Jr.: “The patient is the center of all we do.

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Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis

	Holzer Hospital on Cedar Street in Gallipolis.

Nearly 100 years of history and tradition provide a solid foundation for the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, OH.

The center had its beginnings in 1909.  In that year, Charles E. Holzer, M.D. came to Gallipolis.  Doctor Holzer was a graduate of the Starling Loving School of Medicine (later the Ohio State University College of Medicine) and the protégé of two distinguished Columbus surgeons.  Before coming to Gallipolis, he had spent a year at the State Hospital gaining intensive surgical experience.

Although Gallipolis was a busy river port at the beginning of the 20^th century, it was isolated from the rest of the state by poor roads and inadequate transportation.  At first, Dr. Holzer had little intention to devote his career to this rural area.  He had arrived to take a position as resident surgeon for the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics (OHE), now the Gallipolis Developmental Center (GDC). 

Finding himself the only surgeon in the area, Dr. Holzer was frequently called upon to perform emergency operations outside of his duties at the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics.

A man of unusual energy, with a driving commitment to his craft and a congenial personality, Dr. Holzer acquired many contacts and made friends throughout the community.  He soon realized the need for surgical care and hospital facilities in Gallipolis.  By the end of his resident year at OHE, at the urging of friends, Dr. Holzer rose to the challenge and agreed to start a hospital.

After securing the money necessary to purchase a house in the 500 block on Second Avenue in Gallipolis, Dr. Holzer remodeled it into an office and hospital with seven beds. This modest start represented the beginning of Holzer’s medical and hospital leadership in the Southeastern Ohio River Valley. 

The first expansion of hospital services occurred in 1917.  Along with his wife, the former Alma Vornholt, Dr. Holzer opened a new 25 bed facility on the corner of Cedar Street and First Avenue. The hospital expanded once again in 1926 to 53 beds, continuing to grow through a series of additions until, by 1960, Dr. Holzer’s hospital could boast 175 beds and 24 infant bassinets.

In 1949, Dr. Holzer transferred ownership of the growing hospital to the people of the Ohio Valley by forming the Holzer Hospital Foundation.  In the same year, Dr. Charles E. Holzer, Jr., Dr. Holzer’s son, became instrumental in the formation of the Holzer Clinic, a multi-specialty group practice.  The health care services begin by the Holzers continued to grow. 

After a merger with the Medical Center Hospital in 1968, the Holzer Medical Center was born. The new facility boasted 265 beds and 30 infant bassinets. Completed and opened in May, 1972, Holzer Medical Center was recognized as the most modern rural medical center in the world.

	Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis.

As we look at the Holzer Medical Center today, it offers a comprehensive array of health care services and has a medical staff of over one hundred physicians. Holzer affiliated doctors include those of the Holzer Clinic and physicians with offices located nearby, along with a number of consulting physicians from Columbus and Huntington.

Because of its broad range of services and specialties, reflecting the highest levels of medical excellence, Holzer Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and also designated by the Federal government as a Rural Referral Center.

When special skills or complicated procedures are required to help patients from other area hospitals, those patients are frequently brought to Holzer Medical Center for treatment.

The Holzer Medical Center is today what the Holzers envisioned and hoped for when it all began over ninety seven years ago. For more information, visit the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis page.

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Holzer Medical Center in Jackson

	Holzer Medical Center in Jackson

Holzer Consolidated Health Systems opened Holzer Medical Center, Jackson in late 2000.

Holzer Medical Center - Jackson features a 24-hour Emergency Department with physicians on site, an urgent care service called Express Care, a 33-bed inpatient medical-surgical unit, and a four-bed critical care unit. Ambulatory and inpatient surgery are offered, along with physical, occupational, speech, and aqua therapies. Diagnostic services include cardiac stress testing, non-invasive testing, CT scanning, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and MRI services. Holzer Medical Center - Jackson also offers a laboratory, inpatient pharmacy, a Community Education Conference/Library Center, and a staff of physicians whose number and specialties continue to grow.

Dental Health Partners, Holzer Family Care Center – Jackson, and Jenkins Memorial Health Clinic in Wellston are integral components of Holzer Medical Center, Jackson.

Our credentials include accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), certification by Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services as a Critical Access Hospital, accreditation with Distinction by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and a number of successful state and local inspections.

For more information, please visit the Holzer Medical Center - Jackson page.

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Holzer Senior Care

Opened in 1995, Holzer Senior Care Center is located behind the Medical Center on Colonial Drive, just off Jackson Pike in Gallipolis. A stand-alone, 70-bed, post-acute, long-term care facility, Holzer Senior Care Center is under the direct supervision of a Medical Director able to provide the latest in high acuity care.

Residents of the Center may use the services of our Medical Director, or continue under the direct care of their own physician. The Center staff is committed to providing the highest standard in caring, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Among the features of the Holzer Senior Care Center are skilled nursing services and rehabilitation therapies including physical, occupational, and speech. Both short and long term placement are available. Social and therapeutic activities include a solarium and courtyard areas, community outings, and hospice services. A registered dietitian is available. To learn more, visit our Holzer Senior Care page.
 

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Holzer Home Care

Established in 1976, Holzer Home Care is a Medicare-certified home health agency serving Southeastern Ohio and Mason County in West Virginia.

For more than thirty years, Holzer Home Care has served thousands of patients with compassion, caring, and clinical excellence, consistently receiving the highest marks for quality of care and patient satisfaction. Holzer Home Care services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and home health aides who assist in personal care.

Patients of all ages who are homebound, require skilled care, and have a physician's referral may have their health needs met at home. No prior hospitalization is necessary.

For more information, visit our Holzer Home Care page. Holzer also offers the services of Holzer Hospice and Holzer Assisted Living Communities.

Holzer Hospice

Holzer Hospice is a licensed, certified hospice program. It provides services both in the home and in contracted nursing home agencies to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Medical symptom management by the patient's attending physician is offered, along with the services of an interdisciplinary team of skilled practitioners and volunteers.

The service area for Holzer Hospice includes Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, and portions of Vinton and Lawrence Counties in Ohio.

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Holzer Assisted Living

Holzer Assisted Living communities are located in both Gallipolis and Jackson. These facilities focus on providing a homelike environment complete with nursing care and assistance in bathing, dressing, and medication administration as needed.

Originally opened by Chancellor Health Partners in 2000, Holzer Health Systems became part owner in 2003, with full ownership acquired in July 2005. Holzer Assisted Living communities provide services and support that assist their residents remaining as independent as possible.

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Joint Ventures with Holzer Clinic

In 2002 and 2005, the need for convenient, comprehensive heart and cancer care led to a partnership between Holzer Medical Center and the Holzer Clinic in the development of the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute and the Holzer Center for Cancer Care.

These joint ventures allow the Hospital, in a partnership with Holzer Clinic, to reach out to a more regional audience in healthcare. 

Holzer Cardiovascular Institute

The Holzer Cardiovascular Institute was established in 2002 to provide state-of-the-art cardiology care throughout the region. Services of the Cardiovascular Institute include diagnostic cardiology, interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty and stenting, valve replacement, and bypass surgery.

Digital imaging equipment is used to visualize and diagnose coronary artery disease. Such images can be viewed immediately, allowing physicians to analyze the extent of artery constriction and decide upon treatment options in the best interest of the patient.

The establishment of a cardiac program able to both provide both diagnostic evaluations and immediate care has proven an invaluable asset to the citizens of the region.

The physicians of the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute have performed thousands of cardiac procedures with outstanding outcomes. The Institute’s team is comprised of an interventional cardiologist, board certified in three areas, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, two non-invasive cardiologists, a certified critical care nurse practitioner, and an experienced and supportive staff of health care providers.

To learn more, please visit the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute page.

	Holzer Center for Cancer Care.

Holzer Center for Cancer Care

The Holzer Center for Cancer Care opened its doors in March 2005. The two-story, state-of-the-art facility, located in front of the Holzer Medical Center, offers radiation oncology, including the services of a $2 million linear accelerator and a CT simulator for treatment planning. The linear accelerator at Holzer is only the third of its kind to be installed in the country.

Medical oncology services include an infusion area for chemotherapy with 12 bays and two private bays for treatment. The grand windows overlooking a Healing Garden are a special feature of the oncology area. The garden provides a peaceful area for patients and their families, including a walking labyrinth, a reflecting pool, and benches for rest and meditation.

Located inside the Cancer Center’s lobby is a section dedicated to the American Cancer Society, featuring a Cancer Resource Center with brochures, a videotape library, and a designated volunteer ready to provide assistance. These services are offered

	Garden and Labyrinth

 in partnership with the American Cancer Society, including a Patient Navigator that is available to aid

 cancer patients and their families in understanding the entire process. Holzer Cancer Center also features an Appearance Center offering fittings for wigs and prosthesis.

For more information, visit the Holzer Center for Cancer Care page.
 

In Partnership with the University of Rio Grande

A recent partnership with the University of Rio Grande helped to establish the new Radiation/Technology and Sonography programs at the University, bringing training of allied health professionals closer to home.
To learn more, please visit our Holzer Center for Cancer Care page.
 

Holzer Health Systems looks toward a bright future and growth in the Southeastern Ohio River Valley. A partnership with the University of Rio Grande helped to establish the new Radiation/Technology and Sonography programs at the University, bringing training of allied health professionals closer to home.

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