Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock stands as the flagship institution of Arkansas’s largest healthcare system, Baptist Health. For over a century, this medical center has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Little Rock and the wider Arkansas community, evolving from a modest seventy-five-bed hospital to a comprehensive medical campus renowned for its advanced medical services and commitment to patient care. Its history reflects not only the growth of Baptist Health but also the advancements in medicine and healthcare in Arkansas.
The story of Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock began in 1919 when the Arkansas Baptist State Convention decided to establish a modern hospital in Little Rock. This vision materialized with the opening of Baptist State Hospital in November 1920. From its inception, the hospital was committed to providing advanced medical care, treating over a thousand patients in its first year alone. Dr. J. S. Rogers was appointed as the first superintendent, setting the tone for strong leadership. Simultaneously, recognizing the need for skilled professionals, the Baptist Health School of Nursing was founded in the same year, nurturing generations of healthcare providers, with its inaugural class graduating in 1921.
Expanding to meet the growing demands for healthcare services, construction commenced in 1921 on a larger, 300-bed facility. This five-story brick building opened its doors on January 1, 1925, marking a significant expansion of Baptist State Hospital’s capacity and capabilities. This expansion was crucial in serving the increasing population of Little Rock and Arkansas.
Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock has consistently been at the forefront of medical innovation in Arkansas. In December 1945, the hospital established the first eye bank in Arkansas and pioneered a cornea transplant program, offering new hope and sight to patients with vision impairment. This initiative showcased the hospital’s commitment to specialized medical services and its proactive approach to adopting cutting-edge treatments. In 1946, John Gilbreath became administrator and played a pivotal role in establishing a hospital and medical insurance program, enhancing patient accessibility to healthcare services. That year, the hospital also transitioned from Baptist State Hospital to Arkansas Baptist Hospital, reflecting its growing stature within the state.
The institution demonstrated social leadership in 1954 by becoming the first hospital in Little Rock to employ African-American doctors, breaking racial barriers in the medical field and promoting inclusivity. Further enhancing patient experience, Arkansas Baptist Hospital introduced the state’s first hostess program in 1955, providing personalized assistance to patients and their families, emphasizing compassionate care.
A landmark achievement for Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock occurred on April 12, 1961, when it became the site of the world’s first open-heart surgery performed in a private hospital. This groundbreaking surgery solidified the hospital’s reputation as a leading medical center capable of performing highly complex procedures. That same year, the establishment of a new heart catheterization lab and the opening of Arkansas’s first intensive care unit (ICU) further demonstrated the hospital’s commitment to advanced cardiac care and critical patient management.
Recognizing the need to expand its reach, the system opened Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock in 1962, adding 118 beds to the Baptist Health network. In 1965, Arkansas Baptist Hospital was renamed Arkansas Baptist Medical Center, signifying its evolution into a comprehensive medical complex. To facilitate access to federal funding and maintain the separation of church and state, the hospital was transferred to a private, not-for-profit corporation in 1968, leading to the formation of the Arkansas Baptist Medical Center System. In 1969, the flagship hospital adopted the name Baptist Medical Center, solidifying its brand identity.
Further expansion came in July 1970 with the acquisition of a 213-acre site in west Little Rock. Groundbreaking for a new, larger facility took place in June 1971, culminating in the opening of the 534-bed Baptist Medical Center, the current main campus. The original downtown facility was then renamed Central Baptist Hospital. The grand opening on January 12, 1974, was a significant event, featuring a dedication speech by then U.S. Vice President Gerald Ford, underscoring the hospital’s importance on a regional and national level.
Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock continued to grow and adapt to the changing healthcare landscape. In 1981, the Baptist Medical Center System expanded its outreach by managing Twin Rivers Medical Center in Arkadelphia. Parkway Village, a continuing care retirement community, was established in 1982, with its first residents arriving in 1985, demonstrating a commitment to senior care. In 1983, acute-care services were consolidated at the new Baptist Medical Center campus, with the original building repurposed as a rehabilitation center. The system streamlined its name to Baptist Health in 1995, representing its broader scope of services.
Further expansion of the Baptist Health network included the addition of Baptist Health Medical Center–Heber Springs in 1996 and the relocation and modernization of Baptist Health Memorial Medical Center in North Little Rock in 1999, which was renamed Baptist Health Medical Center–North Little Rock in 2000. In 2008, Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital, located within Baptist Health Medical Center–Little Rock, became the system’s sixth hospital, focusing on long-term acute care.
Today, Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock remains a vital healthcare provider, part of a system with over 130 access points across Arkansas. In 2014, the Little Rock campus was named after Russell D. Harrington Jr., in honor of his leadership as president and CEO. Baptist Health College Little Rock, formerly the Baptist Health School of Nursing, continues to educate future nurses, further solidifying the legacy of Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock as a pillar of healthcare and medical education in Arkansas.
For additional information: Baptist Health. http://www.baptist-health.com/
“Baptist Hospital Opened Formally,” Arkansas Gazette, January 2, 1925.
“First Baptist Unit Required 5 Years to Finance in ’20.” Arkansas Gazette, January 13, 1974.
Leveritt, Mara. “Baptist in Denial.” Arkansas Times, May 5, 1994.
Sawyer, Nathania. Baptist Health: 100 Years of All Our Best. Little Rock: Baptist Health, 2020.
Staff of Baptist Health
