Historical Timeline

Honoring our roots. Celebrating today. Building tomorrow.

For 85 years, Kirby Medical Center has been committed to providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare close to home. What began as the John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital in 1941 has grown into a modern medical center serving Piatt County and the surrounding communities. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generosity of our founders, the dedication of our caregivers and staff, and the trust of the patients and families we are privileged to serve.

Kirby Medical Center Historical Timeline (1842–2026)

Founding Years (1842–1938)

1842 • Birth of John Kirby
John Kirby is born in County Limerick, Ireland.
1856 • Kirby Settles in Illinois
John Kirby joins the McCoy family near Decatur, Illinois.
1861–1866 • Civil War Service
Kirby serves in Company F of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry, participating in major campaigns including the Siege of Vicksburg.
1873 • John Marries Mary Marquiss
John Kirby marries Mary E. Marquiss, granddaughter of Monticello’s founder.
1899 • Kirby Family Moves to Monticello
John, Mary, and their daughter Nell retire from farming and move into their family home at 619 N. State Street in Monticello.
1919 • John Kirby Passes Away
John Kirby’s will leaves $100,000 and the family home to establish a local hospital after Mary’s passing.
1938 • Mary Kirby Dies
Mary Kirby’s death releases the estate funds, finalizing the gift that would soon become the John & Mary E. Kirby Hospital.

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Hospital Established (1939–1950)

1939 • First Hospital Board Appointed and Hospital Incorporated
Nell England, W.H. England, Maxwell Hott, Bela Stoddard, and Herbert Mohler are named the first directors for the new hospital, which is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. The Moore mansion at 1111 N. State Street is purchased to be converted into a hospital.
1941 • Kirby Hospital Opens to the Public
The first patient is admitted on January 20. The community tours the modern facility, featuring fireplaces, tilting mattresses, and advanced electric lighting.
1950 • Nell England Passes Away
Nell England leaves her entire estate to Kirby Hospital, continuing her family’s legacy of service and philanthropy.

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Growth and Expansion (1969–2000)

1969 • Kirby Auxiliary Revitalized
Administrator Tom Dixon helps revive the Kirby Auxiliary, strengthening volunteer support for hospital programs and services.
1975 • Hospital Rebuilt on Original Site
The aging hospital building is replaced to meet new accreditation standards. Kirby sells its nursing home annex to help finance construction of a new hospital on the same site.
1975 • Thomas Dixon Scholarship Established
A memorial scholarship fund is created to support Piatt County students pursuing healthcare careers—a tradition that continues today.
1986 • Obstetrics Department Closes
Due to changes in the insurance industry, Kirby closes its obstetrics services after delivering 4,635 babies since 1941.
1989 • 50th Anniversary of Not-for-Profit Incorporation
Kirby celebrates 50 years as a not-for-profit organization, totaling 39,389 admissions, 307,184 inpatient days, and more than 302,000 outpatient visits.
2000 • Major Renovation Completed
Kirby adds private rooms and renovates the Laboratory and Emergency Departments, modernizing essential patient services.

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A Modern Kirby (2006–2015)

2006–2008 • Press Ganey Summit Awards
Kirby’s Emergency Department earns national recognition for sustained patient satisfaction excellence, receiving Press Ganey Summit Awards in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
2011 • New Kirby Medical Center Opens
Kirby moves to its new 108-acre campus at 1000 Medical Center Drive in Monticello, offering advanced imaging, private inpatient rooms, expanded services, and room for future growth.
2012 • Volunteer Corps Formed
A new Volunteer Corps is established as a subset of the Kirby Auxiliary, expanding opportunities for community involvement and service.
2014 • Auxiliary Funds New Ambulance
The Kirby Auxiliary donates $16,000 to purchase a new ambulance, strengthening emergency medical services for the community.
2015 • Wellness Trail Opens
Kirby unveils a one-mile Wellness Trail with reflection points and a healing natural environment, promoting community fitness and outdoor wellness.
2015 • Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award
Kirby’s Surgery Department earns the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award, ranking in the top 5% nationally for patient experience.

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Innovation and Community Wellness (2016–2026)

2016 • KMC Active and Kirby Medical Group Expansion
KMC Active launches on the Kirby campus, promoting community fitness and wellness, and Kirby Medical Group expands to Cerro Gordo, increasing access to primary care.
2019–2020 • Kirby Rx Locations Open
Kirby Rx opens on campus and later on Market Street in Monticello, improving patient access to prescriptions and pharmacy services close to home.
2020 • Senior Life Solutions Launches
Senior Life Solutions, a behavioral health program for older adults, begins providing specialized support for emotional and mental well-being.
2021 • New Atwood Clinic Opens
A new Kirby Medical Group clinic opens in Atwood, offering updated, accessible space for primary care and support services.
2023–2025 • Therapy and Wellness Center Constructed and Opened
A new Therapy and Wellness Center is built and opened on the Kirby campus, bringing therapy, rehabilitation, fitness, and wellness services together under one roof.
2026 • Kirby Medical Center Celebrates 85 Years of Healthcare Excellence
Kirby Medical Center marks 85 years since the first patient was admitted in 1941, celebrating a legacy of compassionate care, community partnership, and commitment to the future.