A century of dedication to rural health care and 50 years in its current location were celebrated last Wednesday as Mineral Community Hospital hosted a heartfelt service on the front lawn of its facility at 1208 Sixth Ave. East. 

The event brought together past employees, longtime residents, and current staff to honor the hospital’s remarkable journey and ongoing commitment to the people of Mineral County.

The hospital traces its roots back to September 1920, when Miss Dixie Levey opened the first hospital near what is now Darlow’s Quality Foods. With ambitions to match the “modern conveniences of large city hospitals,” Levey’s facility welcomed Dr. P.T. McCarthy as its first house physician. Over the next two decades, the hospital operated from several buildings in Superior until a devastating fire in 1937 completely destroyed the facility. In 1940, all seven Mineral County towns passed a referendum to build a new hospital, and by 1941, a new facility opened — serving the community until the early 1970s. In 1975, MCH moved to its current home, and 2025 marks 50 years of continuous service at this location.

During Wednesday’s celebration, hospital CEO Laurel Chambers Haskins addressed the crowd with a moving tribute to the hospital’s legacy and future. 

“This hospital is not a building — it’s the people that make the hospital,” said Chambers Haskins. “It is a community caring for OUR community. Living and working in a small rural town means we get the special privilege to care for our own; each other, our families, moms, dads, and grandparents. Truly, that is the gift.”

Chambers Haskins acknowledged the hospital’s challenges over the years, including financial strain and staffing shortages, but emphasized that a deep-rooted commitment to the community has kept the doors open. 

“Many times, the doors were close to closing, but our commitment to Mineral County always brought people together to rally again,” she said.

She also highlighted recent growth, including the addition of the Jack Lincoln Clinic in St. Regis, a new doctor in Superior, and expanded services such as a fully staffed Physical Therapy Department, a Certified Nursing Assistant training program, round-the-clock RN coverage, registered dietitian services, and diabetes education. Notably, MCH also performed its first surgery in over 10 years and launched a new wound care program to ensure more patients can stay close to home for treatment.

The hospital now employs about 90 people, most of whom live in Mineral County, making MCH not only a critical healthcare provider but also a major local employer. Staff members are deeply embedded in the community, serving as youth coaches, club members, and volunteers.

Stacy Conrow-Ververis, chief financial officer, reflected on the strong leadership at the hospital. Starting in 2002 as director of human resources and payroll, she stepped into her CFO role in 2020.

“We’ve been lifelong friends,” Conrow-Ververis said of her partnership with Chambers Haskins. “We bring different skills to the table. Having someone you can be honest and open with, especially when making tough decisions, is invaluable.”

Chambers Haskins, who began her career at the hospital 25 years ago as a physician assistant, transitioned from frontline care to leadership, becoming CEO in 2020. 

“Being born and raised here gave us a ‘never give up’ attitude,” she said. “We have always banded together to pick up the pieces and build something better.”

Looking ahead, the hospital is focused on long-term sustainability and upgrading its aging infrastructure, including essential systems like its generator and power distribution center. Despite tight margins, common among Critical Access Hospitals, which operate on as little as -1% to +1% budget flexibility, the hospital has adopted a growth mindset.

“You can’t shrink to greatness,” Chambers Haskins shared, echoing a lesson that has guided the hospital's recent expansion and renewed focus on service.

Mineral Community Hospital is a Level IV Trauma Receiving Facility and offers a wide range of services uncommon in rural settings, from inpatient and outpatient care to long-term care, physical therapy, and 24-hour emergency services with 2-RNs around the clock. With a $14 million annual budget and a growing team of 10 medical providers, the hospital remains at the heart of Mineral County’s health care landscape, not just as a facility, but as a deeply human institution committed to its neighbors.

    Ken and Cathy Vandehey are both members of the Mineral County Medical Foundation which is the fundraising arm of the hospital. Ken is also on the Mineral Community Hospital Board of Directors. Both have been dedicated volunteers for many years. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)