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STERLING – When the hospital opened 100 years ago, a private room cost $23 a day.
It's now $1,000 to $1,800 a day, depending on the unit.
A stay in the two-bed ward was $1.50 a day for adults, $1 for children, and operating room costs were $3 for a minor procedure, $5 for a major one.
More than the prices have changed at CGH Medical Center, which recently kicked off its 100-year anniversary celebration with a private mural unveiling.
The hospital was started in 1909 by 13 doctors. Today, it has 910 employees and an annual budget of $116 million.
"I hate to think what the [budget] was back then, probably what we spend in a couple of hours," CGH CEO and President Ed Andersen said.
In 1914, CGH admitted 412 patients. Last year, that number was 5,800.
The hospital opened at 904 W. Fourth St. In 1912, when the doctors' workload became too much, the city bought it for $1, named it the Public Hospital of the City of Sterling, and began collecting property taxes to keep it running.
By 1929, the hospital was self-sufficient and property taxes no longer were needed.
It moved to 100 E. LeFevre in 1914, opening with 23 beds. Fifteen expansions and remodels later, CGH now boasts 266,000 square feet, with clinics in Tampico, Prophetstown, Polo and Walnut.
A nursing program was added in 1914; it lasted until 1946. A kitchen, overnight rooms and a pharmacy were added. The first respirator was bought in 1937.
In 1950, Sterling Public Hospital was renamed Community General Hospital. It became CGH Medical Center in 1989.
Over the years, the hospital opened a coronary care unit, an ambulance service, a cancer treatment center in conjunction with KSB Hospital in Dixon, a day care center, a dental clinic, and a dialysis center.
TVs were added to each room in 1962.
Nurses went on strike twice, in 1967 and 1974, protesting low pay.
It's been a busy century.
Thursday, CGH kicked off its celebration by unveiling a 7-by-8-foot mural, featuring 2,800 pictures of past and present hospital employees that form a picture of the hospital as seen from LeFevre.
"CGH Medical Center has been a picture of health for 100 years, and our tradition of caring enters another century this month," Andersen said.
"But our story is also your story. To the thousands who turn to us each year, we are more than a place. We are a community of professionals with big hearts who are committed to a better life for our patients."
The celebration begins
Among the events scheduled:
Feb. 14: Former surgeon Dr. Edgar Picken and current surgeon Dr. Mark Schmelzel will discuss the history of surgery, from 2 to 4 p.m. in CGH's Ryberg Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the CGH Health Foundation and the Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society.
April: CGH Health Foundation will kick off its "A Picture of Health for 100 Years" campaign.
First week of May: In honor of National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week, CGH retirees will present "A Look Back at Nursing" style show.
June 13: There will be an ice cream social and a display of medical memorabilia from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society Museum, on the grounds of the Dillon Home in Sterling.
June 26: There will be a garden walk and a boat ride on The Pride of the Rock, in Oregon, from 1 to 6 p.m. It is sponsored by CGH Health Foundation.
July 25: A historic ambulance show is planned.
September or October: Expect the CGH Auxiliary Country Auction, co-hosted by the CGH Auxiliary, Health Foundation, the board of directors, and the medical staff.