TidalHealth Nanticoke

In 1945, a group of concerned citizens, including representatives from various Seaford Civic Organizations, endorsed the idea of building a local hospital as a “living memorial to those who served our country in time of war.” Even though this seemed like a new idea, the seeds of this dream started 10 years before when the Seaford Volunteer Department purchased its first ambulance. Although the ambulance provided the area with quality emergency transportation, it still took 45 minutes to get to the nearest hospital. The First Aid Squad operating the ambulance saw enough deaths on the way to realize how great the need was for a hospital on the county’s west side. 

In December, 1945 Nanticoke Memorial Hospital was incorporated. In March 1947, the first meeting of the board was held and by July 1947 the land for the hospital was purchased.  Over the next several years, many fundraising efforts were made to build the hospital, with additional challenges resulting from a post-war economy. The original vision of a 99-bed hospital became a vision of a 33-bed hospital and plans were adjusted. In July 1950, building began, using a combination of funds raised and an approved federal grant, allowing the hospital to open debt-free. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 4, 1950, with a parade down High Street. On Monday, Jan. 28, 1952, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital opened its doors to the public.

Nanticoke quickly grew to care for additional patients, going through several expansions and building projects over the years. Building projects began with the addition of the Anna M. Brown Wing in 1957, and the J. Leland Fox Wing in 1968. These were followed by the addition of the Richard Tobin Coronary/Intensive Care Unit in 1975 and the addition of a three-story patient tower in 1983. Two additional patient floors were added to the tower in 1989.

Today, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital includes a 99-bed nationally-recognized community hospital and the Allen Cancer Center. Each year, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital cares for more than 5,500 patients admitted to the hospital, 35,000 people in the Emergency Department, and provides more than 105,000 outpatient tests and procedures.