


Our History
May 22, 1938
The Beginning
The need for a hospital began with an emergency on May 22, 1938. Seven people were seriously injured in a head-on crash near Waukon. The medical office of Drs. Rominger and Jeffries, located above what was recently Klenske Drug Store and is now Gemini Salon, was immediately furnished with beds so the seven victims could be “hospitalized.” The medical office continued to serve as the hospital.
A short time thereafter, Drs. Rominger and Jeffries expanded and began a maternity hospital in a gray framed house in downtown Waukon.
October 1st, 1950
The Vision
A few years later, the City of Waukon purchased the land for the construction of the first hospital in 1947. The hospital itself was completed and opened to the public on October 1, 1950. The hospital was named Veterans Memorial Hospital in honor of the Veterans who had served recently in both World Wars.
Present Day
The Legacy
Improvements and efficiencies are always taking place at Veterans Memorial Hospital, but as stated by Mary Riley, RN, long time employee and known as the founding “mother” of the hospital, “You still get the best care here at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The building is incidental—it’s the people who are the important factor.”
Our Mission
Veterans Memorial Hospital enhances the lives of those we serve by providing
an exceptional healthcare experience with compassion.
Our Vision
Veterans Memorial Hospital will be a premier health facility and a leader in fostering a healthy community through innovation, excellence, stewardship, and commitment to the people we serve throughout their lifetime.
VMH Offerings
VMH is made up of:
• A 25-bed critical access hospital
• 24/7 ER & Ambulance Coverage
• In-house CT, MRI, Mammography, Ultrasound, Bone Densitometry
• Services including Telecare, Outpatient, Surgical, Ancillary, Sleep Study, Laboratory, Consultations, Home Health