Adena Health is an independent, not-for-profit health care system serving communities across southern Ohio. For more than 130 years, Adena Health has grown alongside the region, helping patients and families get the care they need closer to home. This article is the first in a series exploring the many parts of Adena Health, beginning with who Adena Health is, where it began, and how it serves southern Ohio today.
How Adena Health began
Adena Health's story began in 1895 after a tragic B&O passenger train wreck west of Chillicothe revealed a serious need for local medical care. At the time, there were no nearby medical facilities, and many of the injured were taken to private homes.
In response, community members stepped forward. Under the guidance of Dr. G. E. Robbins, local supporters raised money, gathered bedding and furniture, and opened an emergency hospital in a small brick house at 207 N. Bridge St. in Chillicothe. The community rallied behind the effort, raising $2,500 through local fundraisers. The hospital was incorporated on June 27, 1895, and officially opened on Jan. 1, 1896.
From the start, Adena Health was supported by the people it served. Local churches helped sustain the hospital, and 1,000 citizens each contributed $1 per year to keep it operating. That spirit of community support laid the foundation for what Adena Health would become.
How Adena Health grew with the region
As the community grew, the hospital grew with it. Within 15 years, the original Bridge Street building was no longer enough. In 1910, land was purchased at the corner of Cherry and Chestnut streets for a new hospital with 25 beds. Additions in 1919 and 1932 expanded the facility further as patient needs increased.
Growth continued through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s as local fundraising, federal support, and community partnerships helped add beds and expand services. New space was created for physical therapy, lab services, and X-ray care, reflecting the changing needs of patients and the region.
A major milestone came in 1973, when the hospital relocated to a 200-acre site at the corner of routes 23 and 159 outside Chillicothe. The move allowed for expanded outpatient care, a larger emergency department, and a medical office building. In the 1990s, Adena Medical Group began to take shape, bringing primary care and specialty providers together in a more connected system.
Over time, Adena Health continued to expand its reach and capabilities. The system added more specialty services, built regional partnerships, and opened new care sites to improve access across southern Ohio. What began as one small emergency hospital became a regional health care system shaped by local needs and long-term commitment.
How Adena Health serves Ohio
Today, Adena Health serves Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties. Across that region, Adena Health operates four hospitals with 341 beds and a network of more than 40 locations.
That footprint helps patients get care closer to home, whether they need a routine check-up, same-day care, surgery, specialty treatment, or emergency services. Adena Health offers emergency and urgent care, primary and specialty care, and advanced services in orthopedics and sports medicine, heart and vascular care, oncology, pediatrics, and women's health.
Adena Health's growth has always been tied to the needs of the communities it serves. For patients and families, that means access to a connected system of care across southern Ohio. It also means care from people who understand the region, its challenges, and the importance of having trusted health care nearby.
Frequently asked questions about Adena Health
Adena Health offers emergency and urgent care, primary care, specialty care, and advanced services in orthopedics and sports medicine, heart and vascular care, oncology, pediatrics, and women's health. Adena Health also provides surgery, imaging, rehabilitation, and other hospital-based and outpatient services across southern Ohio.
Yes. Adena Health offers urgent care and walk-in care across seven locations: Circleville, Hillsboro, Jackson, Waverly, Western Avenue in Chillicothe, Bridge Street in Chillicothe, and the Same-Day Clinic in Washington Court House.
Adena Health accepts many insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, self-pay, and most commercial insurance plans. Patients should check with their insurance provider to confirm coverage for specific services.
Adena Health serves Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties.
To schedule an appointment, patients can call Adena Health Central Scheduling at (740) 779-3463.