By WP Journal staff
In about 1925, the people of Minden started organizing an effort to construct a “sanitarium” to serve the Minden and south Webster Parish areas. A sanitarium was defined as “an establishment for the medical treatment of people who are convalescing or have a chronic illness, or an establishment for the care and treatment especially of people recovering from illness or having a disease likely to last a long time.”
In May of 1926, an organization was formed to take the steps necessary to design and finance the sanitarium. Contractor F. C. McClanahan of Homer soon began the construction of a four-story facility that still stands today. The 9,600-square-foot health center was valued at $60,000. It would accommodate 35 patients in 18 rooms (four wards). In the event of an emergency, the new sanitarium could accommodate 50 patients.
Construction was completed in November 1926, and the citizens were proud to acknowledge that Minden provided the only sanitarium between Monroe and Shreveport…the only one along the L&A Railroad between Stamps, AR and Alexandria, LA.
The new Minden Sanitarium formerly opened on December 9, 1926, offering the community an x-ray department, one operating room, a room for tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies, one delivery room, 80 hospital beds, and “a strong commitment to quality healthcare.”
Serving on the first Board of Directors were Dr. S.F. Martin, Dr. J. B. Benton, Mr. W. McDade, Mr. J.D. Kilgore, and Dr. C.M. Baker. Miss Ola Sawyer was appointed superintendent. The company contacts in 1926 were J. L. McInnis, vice president; John W. Montgomery, secretary-treasurer; and Dr. R. M. Bridges, president.
Those responsible for operating the sanitarium made it clear that their “sole motive” was the “alleviation of human suffering,” and that “any money that may be made will be put back into the plant” to create a better facility.
The sanitarium grew to accommodate the needs of the community over the years. It was never torn down, instead it was expanded through renovations and still exists today as a part of Minden Medical Center.
May of 2026 – only two months away – will mark the one hundredth anniversary of the planning committee’s organization; and December 2026 will mark the one hundredth anniversary of Minden Sanitarium/Minden Medical Center.
Minden Sanitarium, Inc. was filed as a Louisiana business corporation on June 14, 1926. The first registered agent for the company was John W. Montgomery.
GROWTH & QUALITY
Through the years, Minden Sanitarium did more than change its name. It is now an acute-care hospital with 161 beds, serving a population of more than 70,000 people. Minden Medical Center is aware of its goal of “delivering the best healthcare available in Webster, Claiborne and Bienville parishes.”
In excess of 1,600 people seek emergency care at MMC’s Emergency Department each month. Doing this and other jobs takes over 500 employees, with an annual payroll of approximately $8.5M.
The Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit is solely dedicated to recovery. The team includes a physiatrist, consulting physician, rehab registered nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Therapists, Clinical Care Managers, dietitians, pharmacists, counselors, and respiratory therapists. There is also the Outpatient Therapy Department.
A wide range of other services are offered, including ambulatory surgery, pediatrics, OB\GYN, laboratory, cardiopulmonary, nuclear medicine, bloodless medicine & surgery program, CT scanning, MRI, mobile lithotripsy, six-bed ICU, oncology and neurology, breast care center, mammography, Behavioral Health Unit, Nephrology, Pediatric Services, podiatry, psychiatry services, and the heart and vascular center.
A recent quote about the hospital proclaims that “Our single most important priority is delivering quality healthcare right here in Minden, so you never have to travel far to see a doctor. We have it all – from primary care to orthopedics, to podiatry. Everything you need is right here at home.”
In March of 2018, Allegiance Health Management took over the reins of Minden Medical Center. The acute-care hospital has also been managed by Humana and LifePoint Health.
