Hastings, Michigan opened its first hospital on January 14, 1916 in the home of Mrs. Mary Beadle on West Walnut Street. By May 10, 1916, this house was too small, and the hospital moved to the Striker residence on South Jefferson Street which provided 15 to 18 beds. On August 30, 1923, Pennock Hospital was opened at its present location with a capacity of 28 beds. The name "Pennock" was given because of the special contribution of Mr. And Mrs. Ebenezer Pennock (assisted by major employers, community leaders and concerned citizens). In addition to the hospital, a physician office building attached to the hospital was constructed in 1970. The Physician Center is owned and operated by Pennock Hospital and the offices are leased to physicians.
No history of the hospital would be complete without mention of the Hospital Auxiliary-Volunteer Program. It started in the spring of 1916, shortly after the start of the first hospital. Civic-minded women volunteered their time and resources to making patients feel more "at home" at Pennock. At the present time, the volunteering spirit continues with 22 Guilds and a membership of 250 volunteers.
Since 1923, the hospital has evolved into a sophisticated healthcare system representing a broad range of medical and surgical specialties with state of the art technology, board certified physicians and highly trained staff. At the present time, the hospital is Hastings' largest employer, providing employment for 567 people with nearly 17 million dollars in salaries infused into the community.
The Pennock Medical Staff now consists of 50 physicians, with offices in Clarksville, Delton, Hastings, Lake Odessa, Middleville, Nashville and Wayland. These physicians specialize in Anesthesia , Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology (ENT), Pathology, Pediatrics, Physiatry (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), Radiology and Urology.
In addition, Pennock offers an adjunct staff specializing in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Pain Management, Podiatry, and Sleep Disorders.
As we continue to grow in the future, in exciting new areas of healthcare unimaginable today, Pennock will continue to provide quality health services delivered in a personal, progressive and professional manner in partnership with the community.
