A Historical Look

The dream of a medical facility for Crittenden County became a reality in 1943. Dr. T. A. Frazer, president of the Kiwanis Club, received a $10,000 donation towards the new hospital. An additional $50,000 was raised and a building was purchased.
The building was a residence formerly occupied by the Edward J. Hayward family.
After some modifications to the residence, the Hospital opened its doors in July 1944. The hospital staff included four doctors, two registered nurses, a part-time lab technician, and eight nurse's aides.

In 1968 the Crittenden Health System organized the Women's Auxiliary with 21 members. Today the Auxiliary has 53 members and continues to be a vital part of the hospital. By 1972, the hospital needed more space to care for the sick. In response, the Crittenden County Fiscal Court erected the new Crittenden Health System. An expansion and renovation project was completed in 1989 to allow the Hospital to add needed beds and to create new services. Today, the hospital has 48 beds - including six Intensive Care beds - and is one of the most modern and best equipped of any like-size hospitals in the state.


In 1977, the hospital assumed operations of the Crittenden County Emergency Medical Service. Marion Home Health Agency was purchased in 1986. The Hospital then purchased Salem Nursing Home in 1988 and Crittenden County Convalescent Center in 1996 from a group of local physicians. In 1994, the hospital corporation changed its name to Crittenden Health Systems to more closely reflect the array of services offered. In 1998, a new facility was built behind Crittenden County Convalescent Center to provide state-of-the-art laundry services. In 2000, a building was added to the main campus for our specialty clinics. As the focus for healthcare changed, Crittenden Health Systems released the nursing homes and redirected our efforts on acute care medicine. In 2018, the Board of Crittenden Health Systems sold the operations and facilities to Rural Hospital Group - Consolidated and became Crittenden Community Hospital, LLG,

Today, Crittenden Community Hospital includes the hospital, Marion Home Health Agency, 24-hour emergency services, Marion Family Practice Clinic, Fredonia Family Care, Surgery Center, and multiple specialty clinics. A broad range of medical, surgical, and ancillary services are available, with the latest in medical technology and expertise. Services include physical and occupational therapy, inpatient and outpatient surgery, x-ray, CT scanning, MRI, nuclear medicine, echocardiogram, bone density, stress tests, sleep studies, ultrasound, ACR mammography, laboratory, pharmacy, home health, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, and emergency services.

Our goal has always been to make our patients healthier through caring service.