Celebrating 25 Years of Compassionate Care
This year marks a significant milestone for Ozarks Community Hospital (OCH), as we proudly celebrate 25 years of serving the Ozark regions in both Arkansas and Missouri. Headquartered in Gravette, Arkansas, OCH is a bi-state safety-net healthcare provider dedicated to improving the health and well-being of urban and rural communities throughout the region. Our mission is rooted in providing care to a high percentage of governmental and uninsured patients, ensuring that underserved populations have access to essential primary care services. OCH takes immense pride in our work, our approach, and most importantly, the people we serve.
Our Story
The story of OCH is one of resilience, innovation, and community-driven care. Our journey began with the opening of Springfield General Osteopathic Hospital in the 1930s. Through the decades, we have seen expansions, closures, and transformations that have shaped us into the organization we are today. In 1951, Dr. Billy V. Hall founded Gravette Medical Center, which grew into a 14-bed hospital. By 1971, this facility had expanded to 51 beds and later became a 99-bed hospital with the opening of a new four-story building in 1975.
The 1990s brought significant changes as eleven physician shareholders acquired Springfield General Osteopathic Hospital’s assets in 1997. This 95-bed facility became known as Doctors Hospital of Springfield. A major turning point came in 2000 when the hospital was reopened as a 45-bed acute care facility, focusing on primary care for at-risk patients. By 2008, OCH had expanded into Northwest Arkansas, reopening the closed Gravette hospital as a 25-bed critical access hospital, rebranding the entire organization under the name Ozarks Community Hospital. This marked a new chapter for OCH, as we reestablished healthcare access in rural Benton County and grew to include a network of clinics and facilities.
Over the years, OCH has evolved into a healthcare provider employing more than 600 individuals and offering care through a network of rural health clinics and hospital facilities. Our employees and providers work tirelessly to deliver over 150,000 primary care encounters annually, emphasizing our commitment to serving those who need us most.
Continuing Our Mission
As we reflect on 25 years of growth and service, we remain dedicated to our mission of improving access to healthcare for underserved populations. OCH’s legacy is not just about the facilities we operate or the milestones we’ve achieved, but about the countless lives we’ve touched and the communities we’ve supported along the way.
Here’s to continuing this journey of compassionate care for many more years to come!