Lower Umpqua Hospital District is a not-for-profit 20-bed Critical Access Hospital (CAH) located on the Central Oregon Coast.
As the full-service healthcare facility for coastal Douglas County, Lower Umpqua Hospital is proud to offer the full spectrum of modern health services with a comfortable, friendly small-town ambiance.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
Early 1950’s – a non-profit corporation called the Lower Umpqua Association was formed to help with the need for local medical care in coastal Douglas County.
1954 –The Lower Umpqua Hospital District was formed. Donations for local community members, three timber companies and tax levies were the financial basis for creating the hospital district.
Early 1960’s – The Hill-Burton Grant helps build the hospital. This federal grant aids in building rural hospitals.
February 3, 1964 – The Lower Umpqua Hospital opened. Built as a modified Maltese cross, the Lower Umpqua Hospital originally opened with 18 acute care beds and 22 nursing home beds. Dr. Rickard McLean was the first Chief of Staff.
1966- Ambulance services were added
1981- An Intensive/Coronary Care Unit was added, and surgical services were expanded
1982- The Lower Umpqua Hospital Home Health Agency was licensed to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitation care for patients in their homes.
1984- Skilled nursing home beds were certified in the nursing home.
1989– In year 25, Lower Umpqua Hospital District completed construction of the expanded Emergency Department and outpatient clinic where visiting Physician Specialists would meet the community’s needs.
1992- The Hospice Services became certified, and an Ambulance Membership program began.
1998- A major expansion and remodel of the entire facility was completed. This allowed for the added Radiology Suite and two operating rooms, and a CT scanner.
2000- A medical office building was built nearby to meet the needs of local quality medical staff providers.
July 24, 2002– Lower Umpqua Hospital became a Critical Access Hospital and increased the medical-surgical licensed beds to 24.
December 1, 2005– Reedsport Medical Clinic became part of the Lower Umpqua Hospital District.
2006– Nuclear Medicine was added
The hospital transferred Home Health Care and Hospice ownership to Pacific Home Health and Hospice.
2010– Ownership of the nursing home was transferred to Aiden Senior Living at Reedsport.
Fall of 2013– Dunes Family Health Care, a Family Medicine Primary Care Clinic, was integrated into the Lower Umpqua Hospital District.
2014– Walk-In Clinic Opened. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Walk-In Clinic became the Same Day Clinic and is located at Dunes Family Health Care.
In 2019, the hospital district purchased the Methodist Church located on the corner of Frontage and Ranch Roads in Reedsport. The building was remodeled and opened as the Business Office and Family Resource Center in June 2020.
