EASTLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
FINANCIALLY SOUND AND
FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
For those living in rural areas, access to hospital services can be the difference between life and death, especially in an emergency.
Who Uses Eastland Memorial Hospital?
Approximately 94% of the patients treated at Eastland Memorial Hospital (EMH) are from within Eastland County, but only 35% of these patients reside within the current Eastland Memorial Hospital District. Of the remaining patients, 30% come from Cisco, 22% from Ranger, and 7% from the southern part of the county. This means that over 60% of those seeking care at EMH live outside the current district boundaries.
District Statistics for 2024:
●6,500 patients visited the Emergency Department.
●EMH Ambulances responded to 2,700 calls for service; of those, 2,300 were 911 calls.
●EMH provides doctors available 24/7 both in the Emergency Room and Hospitalist physicians overseeing inpatient care. Our dedicated team also includes highly skilled nurses and support staff to ensure comprehensive, continuous care for all patients.
●EMH has over 180 employees, most of whom live in Eastland County.
●Payroll exceeds $11 Million.
●The Hospital’s annual operating budget is approximately $23 million.
●It requires $62,000 (Sixty-two Thousand Dollars) a day to maintain hospital operations.
Rural Health Clinics
Walnut Street Clinic in Ranger.
Regional Healthcare Clinic in Eastland.
Cisco Clinic in Cisco – Coming Soon.
Eastland Memorial Hospital District
EMH has proudly served Eastland County since 1952, when it was founded and built by dedicated community volunteers. In 1989, EMH officially became a hospital district. Due to the presence of other active hospital districts in the area, the Eastland Memorial Hospital District was initially limited to the geographical boundaries of the Eastland School District.
In 1990, just one year after EMH became a hospital district, both Graham Memorial Hospital in Cisco and Ranger General Hospital in Ranger closed their doors. Earlier closures included Rising Star Hospital and Blackwell Hospital in Gorman. Since then, Eastland Memorial Hospital has been the sole provider of 24-hour Emergency Room care, countywide EMS, and other essential hospital services throughout Eastland County.
Financially Sound and Future-Focused
EMH is financially sound, reflecting prudent management and a strong commitment to effective use of resources, while strategically participating in federal supplemental payment programs. However, expanding the hospital district is a proactive measure to ensure long-term sustainability and local control over the future of healthcare in Eastland County. It is essential for planning future improvements, maintaining quality standards of care, and continuing to provide vital services without sacrificing financial stability. The Board of Directors and Administration are committed to maintaining a healthy balance in medical, social, and fiduciary responsibilities.
What Does Expansion Mean?
BROADER REPRESENTATION: Expansion would permit residents inside Eastland County that are outside the current district to serve and elect board members, giving them input on healthcare decisions that impact the entire County.
SUSTAINABILITY: With the support of a larger tax base, EMH is poised to remain a cornerstone of healthcare in Eastland County. In 2024, the district tax rate is just $0.113 per $100 of property value. For example, a home valued at $100,000 would contribute only $113 annually equating to about .31 cents per day. This makes it the most affordable tax rate among all taxing authorities in Eastland County, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality care while keeping costs low for our community.
SECURITY: Expanding the district is essential to protecting the future of our hospital and ensuring it remains a vital resource for our community. This proactive move helps safeguard against the risk of closure, something that has had a profound impact on other rural Texas counties. By expanding, we also strengthen local control over healthcare in Eastland County, ensuring that decisions are driven by the needs of our residents, not external forces.
Our Comprehensive Healthcare Services
Eastland Memorial Hospital District (EMHD) is a comprehensive general acute care facility serving the community with a wide array of healthcare services. In addition to the main hospital, the district operates a dedicated dialysis center and rural health clinics in Eastland and Ranger, with plans to open a new clinic in Cisco. EMHD offers a full spectrum of in-patient, outpatient, and ambulatory care, including medical and surgical nursing, Swing Bed availability for extended care, and essential diagnostic services such as radiology and laboratory testing.
Our hospital provides a range of therapeutic services, including physical, speech, and occupational therapy, all designed to support recovery and enhance quality of life. The 24-hour emergency room ensures immediate and critical care, while our ambulance services deliver rapid response and transport for emergencies. Additionally, we offer inpatient and outpatient surgery, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and specialized wound care for chronic and complex conditions. The Wellness Center is dedicated to preventive care and wellness services, helping our community stay healthy.
EMHD is backed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, including a full-time hospitalist program, emergency room physicians, and visiting specialists who offer outpatient clinics at the hospital. This extensive network of care ensures our community receives the highest quality healthcare, close to home.
The Stakes: Rural Hospital Closures in Texas
Over the past 20 years, Texas has seen the closure of approximately 27 rural hospitals, leaving many vulnerable areas without access to essential healthcare. When a hospital closes, it impacts more than just healthcare—communities face population decline, local businesses suffer, and access to medical care becomes a distant reality for many. While EMHD is currently financially stable and well-managed, expanding our Hospital District is a proactive measure to protect against future uncertainties. According to the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, roughly 80 rural hospitals are at risk of closure in the next five years. By supporting this expansion now, we can ensure that EMHD remains a vital, sustainable healthcare provider for our community, safeguarding our future and well-being.
A Tradition of Community Support
Since its founding, EMHD has been a symbol of community unity and dedication. Known as the 'Hospital that Coffee and Doughnuts Built,' it owes its existence to the countless volunteer hours and generous donations from local residents. Over the years, the hospital has expanded to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community, with renovations to the emergency room, operating suites, and the addition of key facilities. Expanding the District is a natural progression, ensuring that this legacy of service continues for generations to come.
If You Are Interested in Hearing More: We invite you to be a part of the conversation! Join us for a town hall to learn more about the Hospital District Expansion.
Locations:
Eastland Memorial Hospital Board Room
Address: 304 S Daugherty Ave., Eastland, TX 76448
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
Time: 6 p.m.
Myrtle Wilks Community Center Big Dam Room
Address: 1498 I-20 Frontage Rd., Cisco, TX 76437
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Time: 6 p.m.
This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and gain a deeper understanding of how the expansion will shape the future of healthcare in our county. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you there!