History of Crestwood

 

In every hospital’s history there are milestones that shape its growth and development for years to come. Over the past 40 years Crestwood has proudly celebrated exponential growth and continues to add services to better serve the community in which it is located.

In 1964, Crestwood, named for the subdivision it was originally located in, opened as a nursing home. On July 12, 1965, Crestwood was converted to a hospital and opened its doors as a new medical facility on McAlister Drive in Huntsville, Alabama. It was founded by a group of three physicians: Dr. Ellis Sparks, Dr. James Earl Robertson, and Dr. Bernie Moore and one local businessman, Mr. Archie Hill, who sought a choice for medical services in Huntsville.  In 1968, Crestwood was purchased by HCA. Eventually, due to an expansion of services and an increased number of employees, it became necessary to look for another site, which would provide adequate space.

In February of 1982, the hospital moved to its present facility on Hospital Drive just off Airport Road. With state-of-the-art capability and equipment, Crestwood continued to expand its services and procedures.

In April 2004, Crestwood opened a new Women’s Center where all breast diagnostic and screening imaging services are located. In December 2004, Crestwood completed a $36 million expansion project. This expansion provided a new patient entrance and expanded patient care areas.  Renovations and additions provided space to convert all patient rooms within the facility to private rooms.  The expansion also included an 8-bed Intensive Care Unit.

In September 2007 Crestwood grew in bed size from 120 to 150 beds, with an additional 30 private patient rooms. Crestwood also opened an Imaging and Diagnostic Center that offers more convenience, flexibility, and services that compliment outpatient diagnostics performed in the main hospital including an open MRI, Breast MRI, and a 32 slice CT scanner.

Then, after the addition of the Vascular Lab to the Cardiac Care team in 2008, Crestwood Vein Center opened shortly after in 2009 to provide comprehensive vein care and treatment options for varicose vein patients. Additionally, to provide better care for our patients and support for our physicians, Crestwood's Hospitalist Program was established in 2010 to provide around the clock, coordinated physician care to every patient.

Crestwood opened two new on-campus practices in 2011: Tender Care Pediatrics at Crestwood and Crestwood Workers Care. Tender Care Pediatrics was established to fill the shortage of pediatricians in the rapidly growing communities of Huntsville/Madison County. Crestwood Workers Care partners with organizations in the community for workers compensation injuries, preventative care, and testing services. 2011 also marked the year of the implementation of Crestwood's minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery program, a new inpatient Medical Pediatric Unit, and a LDRP unit at Crestwood Maternity Center.

We are proud of our community spirit.  The hospital, as well as its employees, and volunteers, support the community through sponsorships, donations and volunteer time for organizations such as American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Women's Economic Development Foundation and United Way.

Since 1965, Crestwood has successfully blended high-tech medicine with personal care.  We offer the latest in high-tech medical advancements and surgical and diagnostic procedures while providing compassionate care to our patients and their families.