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Jackson HospitalJackson Hospital
is a community
hospital in the truest sense of the word.
Community spirit has been part of our
DNA for 70 years. Jackson Hospital’s
history is integral to the history of medi-
cine in Central Alabama. The hospital’s
origin dates back to 1894, when Watkins
Infirmary received its first patients at the
hospital’s present location.
A man with a vision
Benjamin Franklin Jackson, II, MD, had a
vision of forming a community hospital
that would furnish medical care in the
community with no restrictions. This was
going to be a difficult task, considering
the state of the economy following World
War II, but he didn’t give up.
In 1946, he purchased the south half
of the Forest Avenue block ending at Pine
Street from T. Brannon Hubbard, MD,
for $25,000. Dr. Frank was able to secure
the money with the assistance of the late
A.J. Price, a Montgomery pharmacist and
owner of Price’s Drugs.
On September 16, 1946, Jackson
Hospital opened with 37 patient beds
and five attending physicians. Along with
Dr. Frank Jackson, who organized the
daily affairs of the hospital, those physi-
cians included his father, Benjamin Frank-
lin Jackson, Sr., MD; his brother, Truett
Jackson, MD; Claude Johnson, MD; Hugh
MacGuire, MD; and J.R. Penton, Sr., MD.
During the summer of 1947, Dr. Frank
persuaded his friend, Douglas Goode, an
electrical engineer by trade, to become
the first administrator of the hospital.
Shortly after, in 1949, Jackson Hospital
was granted not-for-profit status and
became officially known as Jackson
Hospital & Clinic, Inc.
Honored for excellence
Then in 1955 it was accredited by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation for
Healthcare Organizations (now The Joint
Commission). Since then the hospital has
maintained its high standard of quality
by successfully passing all subsequent
national and state accreditation surveys.
Over the years Jackson Hospital has
embraced countless advancements in
medicine and technology. Changes in the
cardiac catheterization lab, endoscopy
and outpatient areas, as well as the con-
struction of the Jackson Surgery Center
and the Jackson Imaging Center in 2008,
enhanced patient care and experience.
Today, licensed for 344 beds, Jackson
Hospital ranks among the largest
hospitals in Alabama and is nationally
recognized for the excellence in care
it has traditionally provided to all who
use its services. Jackson has earned the
Gold Seal of Certification from The Joint
Commission for Spine Surgery, Heart
Attack Care and Stroke Care. Jackson has
also earned the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Distinction for Maternity Care, Knee
and Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery.
Even with the latest technology and
facilities, we remain true to our mission
of providing superior healthcare in a safe,
compassionate environment.
Thanks to you
It certainly takes a village to maintain a
hospital, and we wish to acknowledge
our community’s continued support,
especially the contributions of our physi-
cians, administration and staff, volun-
teers, board of trustees and foundation
board members, and of course our many
donors. Our deepest thanks for all that
you continue to do to make ours a model
community hospital.
Celebrating 70 years of community at Jackson
We’ve got spirit,
YESWE DO!
of caring for our community.
CELEBRATING
Y E A R S