Celebrating 100 years of providing safe, innovative and compassionate care for our communities.

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Continuing a Legacy

John F. “Jack” Archbold donated the resources to build John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in memory of his father in 1923. Archbold was the owner of Chinquapin Plantation and a frequent visitor to Thomasville, and his gift was the first in a century-long tradition of fervent community support of healthcare in South Georgia. As it opened in 1925, Archbold remains a not-for-profit, community-led organization committed to the people of the region.

On this occasion, we invite and encourage you to support the Archbold Foundation and its mission to build and sustain a financial legacy that supports Archbold and healthcare access in our community.

GIVE TODAY

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A Century of Healing:

Centennial Reflections on the John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital

A leading aspect of our 100th Anniversary celebration is Archbold's centennial history book, A Century of Healing, carefully compiled by longtime Archbold physician and historian Cordell L. "Chip" Bragg, III, MD. ​

A Century of Healing represents the most complete compilation of Archbold history ever published. It is available for purchase today. Your purchase supports the Archbold Foundation and allows you to participate in this exciting celebration.

For a limited time, community members are invited to commemorate Archbold's 100th Anniversary by becoming an underwriter of the book. Please visit the Archbold Foundation website for more information.

ORDER ARCHBOLD’S CENTENNIAL HISTORY BOOK

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Events

Archbold has grown significantly in 100 years, but our mission to provide cutting-edge care close to home has never changed—and we believe that is something worth celebrating.

Archbold’s Centennial will be marked with a series of commemorations and events for employees, supporters, and community members.

More details about Centennial Events will be shared soon!

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Centennial Shop

Whether you’re an Archbold team member or a community member, we invite you to commemorate the occasion with Archbold Centennial attire and collectibles. A stylish assortment of t-shirts, mugs, canvas totes, and more specially designed for the occasion are available at the Archbold Auxiliary Gift Shop.

The Archbold Auxiliary Gift Shop is located off the main lobby of Archbold Memorial and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Your purchase celebrates your role in Archbold’s history and supports the mission of the Archbold Auxiliary.

Since John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital opened, there has been an active group of interested area citizens who give the hospital their support and assistance. Today, the men, women, and youth who make up the Archbold Auxiliary serve patients, welcome visitors, and fundraise to support the mission of the hospital.

Interested in volunteering? Click here to learn more.

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Share Your Archbold Story

The lives touched by Archbold in the last 100 years are immeasurable. Whether it was a job where you could make a difference, the Cancer Center where your mother became a survivor, or the Maternity Center where you first saw your child – Archbold has played a significant role in so many of our lives as South Georgia residents.

No matter why Archbold is significant to you, we would love to hear your Archbold Story. Using the link below, you can share how Archbold’s first 100 years made a difference in your life. We will share these collected stories online and in person throughout our centennial celebrations.

Do you know someone who might like to share their Archbold Story? We encourage you to pass along this opportunity to them.

SHARE YOUR ARCHBOLD STORY

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Born at Archbold?

On July 11, 1925, the first baby was born at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital. The ceremoniously named John Archbold Golden began a long history of new life at Archbold.

Archbold has earned a reputation for providing the highest quality maternity experience throughout the entire process of prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. More than 860 families trusted Archbold maternity centers with their newborn delivery in 2023. With the opening of Archbold Memorial’s new maternity center, we’re proud to further our commitment to mothers, newborns, and families once again.

Were you or a loved one born at Archbold? Share your baby photos!

Each member of our community who was born at Archbold is a significant piece of our story and the story of the place we call home. Please use the link below to submit your baby photos. We’ll share these photos with the community and recognize you and your family for the role you’ve played in Archbold’s proud history.

SHARE YOUR ARCHBOLD BABY PHOTO

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Our History

A Gift and Its Legacy

John Dustin Archbold, the son of a Methodist Episcopal Minister, was born in Leesburg, Ohio. He served as the first president of the Standard Oil Company and was the closest associate of John D. Rockefeller.

Thomasville, then a booming resort town, attracted the Archbold family and many other prominent northern families with its friendly demeanor, fresh pine air, and ample sporting opportunities in the Red Hills.​​

John D. Archbold’s son, John F. “Jack” Archbold, built his home at Chinquapin Plantation in Thomas County in 1910. In 1923, he donated the funds to build John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in memory of his father. Archbold has him to thank for its iconic Spanish design and tradition of community-led philanthropic support.

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Archbold’s Beginnings

On June 30, 1925, John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital was officially dedicated. Archbold opened as a modern, 100-bed general hospital, treating patients that came from South Georgia and North Florida. The medical staff that was assembled for the new hospital set the stage for a long-standing tradition of excellent physicians caring for this region.

The first three floors of the west wing of the hospital opened in December 1958, adding 56 beds. During this time, improvements were made to surgery, delivery rooms and the nursery, while the X-ray department was expanded. A cafeteria for staff and patients, along with a pharmacy, was also completed during the expansion.

Archbold Health Services began offering home health care in 1973. In-home care was offered as an alternative to acute hospital care or extended care facility placement.

Over the years, Archbold Health Services has grown to include Archbold Hospice, Archbold Pinetree Pharmacy and Archbold HomeCare Store.

A Period of Exponential Growth

The 1980s was a period of growth for the health system. Archbold Grady, Archbold Brooks, Archbold Mitchell, Archbold Living–Camilla and Archbold Living-Pelham all become part of Archbold’s network between 1985 and 1990.

Since then, Archbold Specialty Clinics have opened in Bainbridge, Cairo, Camilla and Quitman.

Archbold purchased a magnetic resonance imaging unit (MRI), the first of its kind in Georgia south of Atlanta and in North Florida.

In 1988, the Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center became the region’s first comprehensive cancer facility. It opened with the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment and offered a unique approach to cancer care through the combination of medical oncology, chemotherapy and radiation therapy under one roof. The center also offered ancillary services, including patient education, nutrition counseling, rehabilitation and social services.

Archbold’s Outpatient Surgery Center opened in May of 1989 as an addition to the West Wing with its own entrance for patients. It was built in conjunction with the complete renovation of the hospital’s inpatient surgical department.

The New Millennium

In 2002, the Archbold Ambulatory Care Center opened and provided the community with the Ambulatory Surgery Center, Imaging Center, Women’s Center, and a relocated Preadmission Testing department.

The center gave patients access to cutting-edge technology including the most powerful MRI available at that time, and the GE Lightspeed CT scanner, which produced vital diagnostic images in under a minute.

Archbold became the third hospital in Georgia to acquire the Gamma Knife in 2003. This technology allowed physicians to treat brain tumors, lesions and malformations in the brain without a scalpel or the usual risks associated with surgery.

The Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center moved into a newer and larger building in August of 2010. It provides patients with private, semi-private and open-area options for infusion treatments. Patients also have access to clinical trials, a patient navigator program and a scalp cooling treatment system to help chemotherapy patients retain their hair during treatments. And most recently, added a new weapon in their fight against cancer. In October of 2020, the Varian TrueBeam System, the lastest most powerful and precise cancer fighting technology available, replaced an 18-year-old Varian Accelerator making it just over a $3.4 milliion investment for Archbold. ​

Archbold’s North Tower – the largest single construction project in Archbold’s history – opened in May of 2012. The tower houses the Emergency Department, the surgery department and the intensive care unit.

Archbold Therapy and Sports Medicine opened a new free-standing facility in early 2021. The new building allowed therapy staff to expand their physical, occupational and speech therapy services to patients and a sports medicine program catering to student athletes in Thomas County.

Archbold's Loudermilk Heart and Vascular Center expanded in 2021 and opened a fifth cath lab. The expansion and subsequent improvements to the space allow physicians to treat more patients in a timely manner.

Looking Towards the Future

In 2022, the “One Archbold” initiative introduced a revitalized Archbold brand. A refreshed logo and unified names were introduced at facilities around the region. While Archbold’s facilities across South Georgia had always shared a mission, they now shared a common identity.

Archbold opened as a modern, 100-bed hospital in 1925 and is now a robust healthcare system that includes four hospitals, four nursing homes and over 200 specialty physicians and employs nearly 3,000 staff members. Our service lines include a state-of-the-art cancer center, life-saving cardiology care, minimally-invasive surgery, a soon-to-open new maternity center and more.

One hundred years on, we are proud of the impact Archbold has made on the region and thankful for the countless current and former team members who have served their communities with such consistency. With continued community support and the growth of our area, Archbold is destined for another century of region-leading healthcare.