City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Health Care

Telephone: (800) 777-7775

Address: 1500 N. Ritter Ave.

Description: More than 50 years ago, residents on the east side of Indianapolis decided they didn’t want to drive all the way downtown for health care. They wanted something closer to home. Volunteers started going door to door to raise funds for the new facility. Before long, businesses and private citizens pitched in for what was called “the swiftest, most effective fund-raising campaign of our time.” A farmer donated 28 acres on 16th Street and Ritter Avenue for the new facility, and ground was broken in 1954. Then Vice President Richard Nixon was on hand for the kickoff ceremony. When it opened, the new $5 million, 300-bed hospital featured the novelty of air-conditioning and piped-in oxygen. Residents could proudly say it was their hospital. They helped build it. The name “Community Hospital” was chosen to reflect the massive involvement of the eastside community to help secure a hospital. Over the years, Community has grown into an integrated health network known as Community Health Network. Community now has five hospitals and more than 70 sites to serve people of central Indiana.