Mission & History

Our mission is simple. Howard County Medical Center will provide quality, efficient health care. We want to make our community a better place through education and awareness. We have been a vital part of our community for a number of years. We have continued to grow with the help of our donors and volunteers that make our mission possible.


Howard County Medical Center first opened its doors in 1955. At this time the building was called, "Howard County Community Hospital." This hospital housed an Emergency Room, Surgical Suite, Patient Rooms, and Obstetric services. By the 1970's the capacity of the hospital floor was not enough for the patient base, so additional patient rooms were built on.

In 1998 major construction began that would change the look of the entire facility. This construction would also more than double the size of the current hospital. Between the years 1998 and 2001, a completely new patient floor was constructed, a bigger surgical suite added on, a new entrance to the facility, and the old patient rooms converted to exam rooms. Upon opening in 2001, the medical clinic in town merged with the hospital to make this facility the one place to get all the health care needs.

As the amount of patients increased and providers practicing increased in the clinic setting the need for more space arose in 2005. Construction began on a new clinic on the north side of the existing building. This addition was complete and opened its new doors on February 4, 2008.

In 2010, the name "Howard County Medical Center" was adopted. HCMC felt as though this name more represented what the facility has to offer as a whole.

A new lab and reconstruction of the Emergency Room completed in 2015. This addition allowed to lab staff more room for their growing services and the Emergency Room a drive up bay for patients.

December 8, 2017 marked the day that construction began to add another pod to the existing clinic. With the influx of providers being added by HCMC, the decision to add on to house these providers came to light. Construction was completed in July of 2018, and two more doctors were added to the staff.

In August of 2019, a remodel of the Specialty Clinic began as it has grown from 12 to 23 providers in less than 5 years. The need for more space and rooms for doctors to visit patients was very evident.

HCMC is owned by Howard County, and is supported solely from patient revenue and the Foundation. HCMC employs approximately 175 employees.

Dr. "Bud" Arnold came to Howard County in the late 1800's in a covered wagon. After serving in World War I, he became a doctor and returned to Howard County to open a private practice in 1920. He was instrumental in what is now Howard County Medical Center. Family of Bud credit him for delivering over 2,000 babies in his career.

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