A Healthy Dose of Options
Good hospitals establish Huntsville as a regional health-care hub

Huntsville Hospital is one of the largest, not-for-profit, community-owned hospitals in the country.

Huntsville has always been perceived as a high-tech hub, but with a broad range of hospitals, clinics and medical facilities, the area is quickly gaining the reputation as the regional health-care nucleus as well.

Clinics such as the Community Free Clinic, Health Established at Local Schools (HEALS) Clinic, the Madison County Health Department and the Surgery Center of Huntsville all provide specialized service, while the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers both medical education and services at venues throughout the state.

Huntsville Hospital

Opened in 1895, Huntsville Hospital has become North Alabama’s largest medical center, and one of the largest, not-for-profit, community-owned hospitals in the country. The main campus, Huntsville Hospital East, boasts more than 550 physicians practicing some 65 medical specialties, including cancer, cardiac care and women’s health.

In October 2005, Huntsville Hospital announced plans to construct an 84-bed patient tower and expand its emergency department.

“We’re adding nearly 35,000 square feet, including six new suites for trauma care,” says Joe Austin, Huntsville Hospital CEO. “We’re the true regional trauma center, and this expansion reflects that.”

Austin is also pleased to report the appointment of pediatric surgeon Dr. James Gilbert and pediatric neurologist Dr. Joseph McCarty to the hospital staff.

Crestwood Medical Center

Located in southeast Huntsville, Crestwood Medical Center offers personalized care from more than 465 physicians covering 50 different specialties. Established in 1965, Crestwood has maintained a strong focus on family and community service, while staying abreast of technological advances. CEO Brad Jones emphasizes the hospital’s core values and culture as keys to its success.

“We work hard to bring people into our organization who really care about other people,” Jones says. “They’ve got to have that passion. We have good employee teams, and our turnover rate is a third less than the national average.”

Hospital staff also works to develop positive working relationships with physicians and make a point to extend the hospital’s service through community giving.

“Last year our employees donated a million dollars worth of time,” Jones says. “We’re the only investor-owned hospital – the only tax-paying hospital in the community – so we are really involved in how the state spends that money promoting economic development, teachers and firefighters, for example.”

Crestwood is also growing in 2006, adding 30 beds and a new 24,000-square-foot surgical center to its existing facility.– Heather Johnson

Story by Heather Johnson
Photo by Greg Emens