Harlan County Health System
HistoryThe original hospital was a large family home located at 4th and Kennedy and donated by the Haskell family. The house was extensively remodeled with a $30,000 addition and opened in 1951 as Alma Memorial Hospital. By the mid-1960s, however, the need for a larger, purpose-built facility to serve the healthcare needs of Harlan County was apparent, and a bond was passed by the citizens to build one. The cornerstone was laid on June 10, 1968, and the new building was dedicated in April of the following year, with all the amenities of a first class modern hospital. In 2007, the hospital was extensively remodeled with a $6 million addition that virtually doubled the existing space and added state-of-the-art features.SpecialtiesThe Harlan County Health System hospital is a 19-bed Critical Access Hospital providing emergency, outpatient, inpatient, specialty clinic and surgical services from a spacious, modern facility. The hospital is located in beautiful Alma, Nebraska, near Harlan County Lake, Nebraska's second largest body of water. Adjoining the hospital is Heartland Family Medicine, a professional medical clinic staffed by a physician and two physician assistants. Heartland provides day-to-day medical care for patients of all ages from throughout the area. Visiting specialists travel to the HCHS regularly to provide cardiology, urology, podiatry, ophthalmology, and orthotic services. Services provided by HCHS include a 24-hour emergency room; radiology, including a CT scanner for detailed imaging of soft tissue; rehabilitation, including occupational, speech and physical therapy; an intensive care suite; a full laboratory; a state-of-the-art pharmacy; and a modern surgical suite. Emergency transportation, staffed by experienced emergency medical technicians, is provided by a licensed ambulance service. Emergency air transport to a Level II trauma center is also available. Patient rooms are spacious, and almost all are private. Nursing is provided by a dedicated, professional nursing staff, and appetizing and nutritious meals are prepared onsite.