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Community Medical Center Long Beach facts for kids

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Community Hospital Long Beach
Molina Wu Network LLC
Long Beach Community Hospital.jpg
Geography
Location 1720 Termino Avenue, Long Beach, California, United States
Organization
Care system Private
Hospital type Community
Affiliated university None
Services
Emergency department yes
Beds 158
History
Founded 1924

Community Hospital Long Beach is a hospital in Long Beach, California. It provides medical care to people who need it right away. The hospital closed for a while in 2018. But it reopened on January 4, 2021, with a new company called Molina Wu Network LLC running it.

History of the Hospital

Early Years and Growth

Community Hospital of Long Beach started in 1924. It was first called Long Beach Community Hospital. It had 100 beds for patients. Many doctors and surgeons worked there.

A local leader, Fillmore Condit, gave $50,000 to help build the hospital. This was a lot of money back then! The first building was designed by Hugh Davies. It looked like old Spanish buildings.

Nine years later, in 1933, a big earthquake hit Long Beach. The hospital was shaken but not badly damaged. It helped hundreds of injured people after the earthquake.

In the 1940s, the hospital grew bigger. A new part was added. This made the hospital have 150 beds.

Modernizing and New Services

The 1960s and 1970s brought many changes. The hospital got new, modern equipment. The emergency room became twice as big. They also opened an intensive care unit (ICU). This unit helps people who are very sick. A coronary care unit was also added for heart patients.

In 1980, the hospital was named a Historical Landmark. This means it's an important old building.

Community Hospital of Long Beach
Community Hospital of Long Beach

The hospital's ownership changed a few times. In 1982, a company called HealthWest bought it. Later, UniHealth owned it. Then, in 1998, Catholic Healthcare West took over.

During these years, more new services were added. These included a center for brain and mental health, a special unit for newborn babies who need extra care, and a place for urgent care. They also opened a cancer center. The hospital's name changed to Long Beach Community Hospital Medical Center.

Community Efforts and Reopening

In 2000, Catholic Healthcare West closed the hospital. People in the community were very upset. They worked hard for nine months to "Save Our Neighborhood Hospital." Because of their efforts, especially by Charles Lane, the hospital reopened in 2001. It got its current name, Community Hospital.

Since then, the hospital has kept adding more services. It added a unit for behavioral health with 28 beds. It also opened a clinic for people needing help with work-related injuries. A women's health center was added for special surgeries.

In 2006, the hospital received a special approval from the Joint Commission. This means it meets high standards for patient care. In 2011, Community Hospital became part of MemorialCare Health System. This helped prevent the hospital from closing again.

On September 29, 2017, the hospital's name changed slightly to Community Medical Center Long Beach. It continued to improve under the leadership of Long Beach Memorial and Millers Women's and Children's Hospital.

After closing in 2018, a new company, Molina Wu Network LLC, signed a lease. The hospital reopened on January 4, 2021. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital provided much-needed beds for patients in Southern California.

Other Hospitals Nearby

  • Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
  • St. Mary Medical Center (Long Beach)
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