Our History

Pioneers Memorial Hospital is a highly recognized 107-bed acute care facility that is committed to providing state-of-the-art healthcare and located in the southeastern portion of California.

PMH is accredited by DNV or Det Norske Veritas – the Nordic Truth – a hospital accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which has some of the most strenuous standards in healthcare.

Additionally, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is proud to be the only ISO 9001-certified hospital in the Imperial Valley and San Diego. Our ISO 9001 certification is an international signal of our dedication and commitment to protecting our patients’ health and safety while they are with us.

Pioneers was developed in the 1940s by community leaders with a vision for expanded health services in the northern part of Imperial County. Through their foresight and devotion to this worthy cause Pioneers Memorial Hospital and the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District were created.

PMHD was originally formed under the governance of a board of directors that was appointed by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. Subsequent boards have been elected by the residents of the district.

The doors to PMH were first opened on October 29, 1950, with Louis Peelyn as the first hospital administrator/CEO. The first board members were E.J. “Jack” Fabbri, William M. Corn, Elmer Sears, T.B. Shank, and Clarence R. Walker. The hospital’s original building still remains today as the core of the present facility.

As the scope of healthcare needs in the area broadened, so did the services of the district. In October 1986, an eight-bed intensive care unit was dedicated. The $1.4-million facility was supported by the community and made possible through a fundraising campaign that surpassed $470,000 by the newly formed Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation. Then Foundation President Bill Gates stated, “Clearly, we have accomplished a great deal, but there is still a lot to do. It’s just a matter of determining where the Foundation can do the most good for the hospital.”

In 1992, the board started a master-planning process in order to meet the district’s healthcare needs for the early decades of the 21st century. In 1993, voters in the district approved a $24-million general obligation bond to fund renovations for the existing hospital facility, an extension of the east wing to create a new emergency and urgent care area and construction of a free-standing women’s center and outpatient surgery center.

The emergency room wing opened in May 1998 and a few months later on September 23, 1998, dedication ceremonies were held for the women’s center and outpatient surgery center. Both centers honor Phyllis Dillard, who served on the board of directors for 34 years. Helping support the growth was the Women’s Auxiliary of Pioneers Memorial Hospital, which donated $153,000 to completely furnish five of the 10 labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum rooms in the women’s center, including all of the medical equipment as well as the furniture.

Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is a public entity formed under California law, specifically a local health care district formed under California Health & Safety Code §§32000 et seq.

CREDENTIALS & ACCREDITATION

MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATION
Approvals, accreditation, and memberships listed as applicable to the District facilities

• Accredited by the Det Norske Vertias, a hospital accreditation organization approved by the U. S. Center for Medicate and Medicaid (CMS) and has some of the most strenuous standard in healthcare.
• California Department of Public Health
• Medicare certification by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF Health and Human Services.
• Laboratory Accredited by The Joint Commission and CLIA licensed.
• Ultrasound Department Accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL).
• Mammography Accredited by American College of Radiology (ACR).
• Nuclear Medicine licensed for radioactive materials by California State DHS.
• Pharmacy Licensed by California State Board of Pharmacy.

Pioneers Memorial Hospital is a highly recognized 107-bed acute care facility that is committed to providing state-of-the-art healthcare and located in the southeastern portion of California.

PMH is accredited by DNV or Det Norske Veritas – the Nordic Truth – a hospital accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which has some of the most strenuous standards in healthcare.

Additionally, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is proud to be the only ISO 9001-certified hospital in the Imperial Valley and San Diego. Our ISO 9001 certification is an international signal of our dedication and commitment to protecting our patients’ health and safety while they are with us.

Pioneers was developed in the 1940s by community leaders with a vision for expanded health services in the northern part of Imperial County. Through their foresight and devotion to this worthy cause Pioneers Memorial Hospital and the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District were created.

PMHD was originally formed under the governance of a board of directors that was appointed by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. Subsequent boards have been elected by the residents of the district.

The doors to PMH were first opened on October 24, 1950, with Louis Peelyn as the first hospital administrator/CEO. The first board members were E.J. “Jack” Fabbri, William M. Corn, Elmer Sears, T.B. Shank, and Clarence R. Walker. The hospital’s original building still remains today as the core of the present facility.

As the scope of healthcare needs in the area broadened, so did the services of the district. In October 1986, an eight-bed intensive care unit was dedicated. The $1.4-million facility was supported by the community and made possible through a fundraising campaign that surpassed $470,000 by the newly formed Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation. Then Foundation President Bill Gates stated, “Clearly, we have accomplished a great deal, but there is still a lot to do. It’s just a matter of determining where the Foundation can do the most good for the hospital.”

In 1992, the board started a master-planning process in order to meet the district’s healthcare needs for the early decades of the 21st century. In 1993, voters in the district approved a $24-million general obligation bond to fund renovations for the existing hospital facility, an extension of the east wing to create a new emergency and urgent care area and construction of a free-standing women’s center and outpatient surgery center.

The emergency room wing opened in May 1998 and a few months later on September 23, 1998, dedication ceremonies were held for the women’s center and outpatient surgery center. Both centers honor Phyllis Dillard, who served on the board of directors for 34 years. Helping support the growth was the Women’s Auxiliary of Pioneers Memorial Hospital, which donated $153,000 to completely furnish five of the 10 labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum rooms in the women’s center, including all of the medical equipment as well as the furniture.

Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is a public entity formed under California law, specifically a local health care district formed under California Health & Safety Code §§32000 et seq.

CREDENTIALS & ACCREDITATION

MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATION
Approvals, accreditation, and memberships listed as applicable to the District facilities

• Accredited by the Det Norske Vertias, a hospital accreditation organization approved by the U. S. Center for Medicate and Medicaid (CMS) and has some of the most strenuous standard in healthcare.
• California Department of Public Health
• Medicare certification by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF Health and Human Services.
• Laboratory Accredited by The Joint Commission and CLIA licensed.
• Ultrasound Department Accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL).
• Mammography Accredited by American College of Radiology (ACR).
• Nuclear Medicine licensed for radioactive materials by California State DHS.
• Pharmacy Licensed by California State Board of Pharmacy.