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History

In 1909, Alice and Caroline Graham gifted the original structure of the hospital to the community. It was their belief that a hospital was needed to better serve the Canton community. Since then, Graham Hospital has continually grown into the progressive, comprehensive Health System we know today.

The last 20 years have included significant renovations, building additions and new clinic construction to keep the promise that Graham was founded on, “Quality Care for All”.

Graham Health System remains a strongly independent Health System serving patients throughout Central and Western Illinois, with operations in five counties: Fulton, Mason, Knox, McDonough and Peoria in 9 communities, with 12 clinic locations.


 

Highlights from the history and growth of Graham

1905

A charter was written for the governing Board of Trustees outlining the organizational structure and the foundation for provisions.

1907

Construction began on Graham Hospital and a Training School for Nurses.

1908

The Cornerstone was laid and may still be seen in our Cornerstone Cafe.

1909

With the significant need for healthcare, the first facility opened. Nurses where brought in from larger cities in order to staff the new hospital.

1910

The first operation ever performed in the new Hospital was by Dr. H.H. Rogers.

1925

The first expansion project began, erecting a wing to the east of and adjoining to the main building.

1931

Mrs. Signa C. Thomas, a nurse, was appointed the first Administrator of the hospital.

1939

Due to overcrowding, another expansion project began increasing the number of beds from 60 to 118.

1959

A new east wing addition was erected increasing the number of beds to 135. The original building and the 1925 wing were both modernized.

1959

Mrs. Signa C. Thomas retired as the Administrator, making way for the hiring of Mr. Kenneth Etcheson as the new Administrator.

1968

Once again an expansion was necessary in order to make way for an additional 92 patient beds. The number of beds was now increased to 213. This addition now houses our Medical Surgical Unit.

1975

A three story expansion project began that would house a new laboratory, surgery and maternity suites as well as the addition new mechanical spaces and linen quarters.

1977

In 1977 expansion was completed.

1983

The new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) opened.

1990

Mr. Ray Slabaugh becomes the Administrator.

1999

Graham Hospital buys the assets of Coleman Clinic, Ltd., and contracts with the Coleman Physicians to staff all Graham Medical Group Clinics.

The 2000’s have been a significant time of growth, bringing expansion and innovation to OUR community. Graham invests over $86 million dollars into our facilities over the next 16 years. These investments allow us to bring new treatments and advanced technology in order to better serve our community.

2005

Another addition was completed that now houses the Emergency Department and Administration offices.

2006

New President & CEO Robert G. Senneff joins Graham.

2007

Graham initiates a 10 year Facility Master Plan wherein the entire Medical Surgical Unit, Post Cardiac Unit, Intensive Care Unit, and Obstetrical Unit will all see complete demolition/rebuild. Mechanical systems are upgraded throughout, and overhead patient lifts are added to all Inpatient rooms.

2010

Construction of a 68,000 Sq. Ft. four story medical building to house both primary care and specialty care physicians and Advanced Practice Providers is completed and the Grand Opening of Graham Medical Group – Canton takes place.

2011

Construction is completed on a new 6,600 Sq. Ft. building and the Grand Opening of Graham Medical Group – Farmington takes place.

2014

Construction is completed on a new 5,600 Sq. Ft. building and the Grand Opening of Graham Medical Group – Lewistown takes place.

2015

To further meet the needs of the community, an additional 34,000 Sq. Ft., two-story addition is added to Graham Medical Group building in Canton. New space is available to house Convenient Care (7 day a week urgent care facility), as well as Rehabilitation Services (Physical, Occupational and Speech & Language Therapy), Aquatic Therapy and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. More specialty physician care is added to bring new medical and physician services to Canton.

2019

Construction completed on a new medical group building bringing healthcare services to Elmwood. Graham Medical Group – Elmwood Grand Opening takes place.

2019

Construction completed on a 4000 Sq. Ft. addition and a 17,000 Sq. Ft. renovation of the new Graham Surgery Center. This addition and remodel changed the face of the hospital and modernized the Surgical Department with new state-of-the-art technology.

2020

Graham purchases ROSA and Davinci surgical robots for orthopedic and general surgery respectively. These state-of-the-art robots help our surgeons enhance the care they deliver, while allowing patients to heal faster.  

2020

Graham Medical Group leases a former OSF Medical Office Building and expands into Williamsfield.

2021

The 1925 and 1959 buildings are renovated to house our Nursing Home, Pharmacy and expand the Graham Hospital School of Nursing.

2021

The 1925, 1959, 1968, 1977 and 1983 Graham Hospital Campus Buildings receive new windows and new exteriors with the application of an Exterior Insulation and Finish System applied over the aging brick facade, sealing the building envelope.

2022

The Lewistown Clinic expands to meet the growing needs of the community. Expansion of the Intensive Care Unit begins, adding four additional rooms.

Seeing the growing need for patient centered healthcare in Central and Western Illinois, Graham Medical Group adds clinics in Macomb and Galesburg.

To further meet the needs of the Galesburg community, an additional Graham Medical Group building is purchased, allowing for primary and specialty care to practice in one location.  Convenient Care is a free-standing clinic.

2022

To further meet the needs of the Canton community, an additional Graham Medical Group building in Canton is purchased to allow for Convenient Care to expand and become a fee-standing clinic. 

2023

In order to better meet the needs in the Galesburg community, Graham Medical Group purchases 40 acres of land in Galesburg to build a Family Medicine & Specialty Medicine clinic. This new clinic will also house laboratory and imaging services. 

2023

Continuing with our mission to provide Quality HealthCare for all, GMG purchases a clinic in Glasford in order to provide patient centered healthcare to that community.

2024

Graham Medical Group expanded into the south side of Galesburg, opening the area’s first medical clinic and bringing much-needed healthcare access closer to home for underserved residents. This new location reflects a strong commitment to the community—removing barriers to care, improving convenience, and ensuring more individuals and families can receive the services they need, right where they live.

2025

The Graham Hospital Foundation continues to invest in the health and well-being of our community through meaningful, forward-looking initiatives. Most recently, the Foundation funded the purchase of an Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) for the Graham Hospital imaging center—expanding access to advanced breast cancer screening for women with dense breast tissue and enhancing early detection efforts close to home.

In addition, Graham Health System purchased the Macomb West property, a step toward growing services in Macomb. This expansion reflects an ongoing commitment to meeting community needs, improving access to care, and ensuring residents have quality healthcare resources where they live and work.

2026

Graham continues to move forward with a strong focus on growth, leadership, and community-centered care.  Allison Sours was promoted to President & CEO, becoming only the second woman to hold this position in the organization’s history—an important milestone that reflects both progress and strong leadership for the future.

At the same time, Graham is advancing key construction projects that will expand access to care across the region. Work is ongoing at the Galesburg Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Macomb West Clinic, with both facilities on track to be fully operational by mid- to late-2026. These developments underscore Graham’s continued commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the communities it serves.

Today, Graham Health System, which once began as Graham Hospital, continues the commitment to provide “Quality Care for All”.

How We are Serving You:

I am a cardio rehab patient and I would like to acknowledge the great care I’m receiving in rehab.  Everyone involved in the program is personable, knowledgeable, and well trained.  They are responsible for dropping my BP from 252/100+ to 136/73. I feel safe under their watch!
Jane Johns, Cardiac Rehab patient
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