Putnam County Hospital Receives Performance Leadership Award for Patient Perspective from Chartis Center for Rural Health Greencastle, Indiana, November 15, 2022– As part of the National Rural Health Day celebration, Putnam County Hospital today announced it has been recognized with a 2022 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (e.g., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes and Patient Perspective. “We are proud to be recognized by the Chartis Rural Hospital INDEX. That staff at Putnam County Hospital strive to be your first choice in healthcare and to exceed the expectations of every patient, every time. This award in the area of Patient Perspective score validates this patient service vision” Said Putnam County Hospital CEO, Dennis Weatherford. The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is trusted and relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance. “Although the last two years have placed unprecedented pressure on the rural health safety net, the dedication to serving the community that we’re so accustomed to seeing from rural hospitals across the country hasn’t wavered,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Let us celebrate the power of rural on National Rural Health Day and honor the facilities working tirelessly to provide access to high quality healthcare services to their communities.”  In 1908, 26 Putnam County female citizens started what would be the founding of a hospital to serve their family and friends. The hospital would offer solutions to their ever changing healthcare needs, and would bring technologies only previously offered in larger cities to their rural community. Prior to the hospital opening, Putnam County residents depended on the house calls of local physicians to treat their ailments. Minor operations could be performed in the doctor’s office, but if major surgery was required, the patient had to be transported to Indianapolis. The money needed to build the hospital was raised through community fundraising events. The week of October 1, 1908, a fair was held in downtown Greencastle to raise money. Hospital bonds were also sold for the facility and many monetary donations were made by local residents and organizations. In 1924, the hospital opened its doors to begin offering services for the members of Putnam County. During the 55 years at the original location, the Hospital served thousands of patients. The Hospital expanded and was moved for the original location on Shadowlawn Avenue to the current site at 1542 South Bloomington Street, in 1979. With the addition of the new, updated facility, the Hospital was even better equipped to serve the citizens of Putnam County. In 2001, the Medical Office Building was constructed to offer room for the expansion of Specialists, Physical Therapy and Oncology. In 2005 the Outpatient Surgery Center was expanded and updated to provide the latest in equipment and procedures. The Oncology Center also expanded and was moved to the second floor to allow more treatment bays for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Today, over 100 years later, Putnam County Hospital still serves the same mission and standards set by its founders: to provide exceptional healthcare to our friends and family in Putnam County, by continuing to provide a number of outpatient and inpatient services as a Critical Access Hospital in Greencastle, Indiana. Putnam County Hospital offers a 24-hour Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, an Acute Care Medical/Surgical unit, and three surgical suites. Observation, inpatient care, and rehabilitation programs are offered within the units. A host of outpatient services are also available. Cancer treatments, rehabilitation services, an outpatient clinic with over 10 varied specialties, digital radiology, laboratory and respiratory services are conveniently located in-house to provide more options for patients in one stop. The hospital employs nearly 425 individuals, including physicians. Putnam County Hospital’s missions is to provide exceptional healthcare close to home. For more details about The Chartis Center for Rural Health and the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, contact Billy Balfour at wbalfour@chartis.com.