Our History

Dr. Arch E. Spelman was a brilliant and energetic gentleman who from the age of 19 knew he wanted to become a doctor and master the field of surgery. (Click here to download a PDF of Dr. Spelman’s Light of Ideals and Visions written at age 19.) He always valued people as individuals worthy of the best medical care possible irregardless of their ability to pay.

Dr. Spelman had been practicing medicine in Smithville for only 4 years when he saw the unrequited need to bring a hospital north of the Missouri River for residents of Clay, Platte, and Clinton counties.The Great Depression still gripped the land, but people trusted Dr. Spelman’s reputation as a fine physician and surgeon, and responded to his appeal. Within a matter of weeks, Smithville’s businessmen, farmers and private citizens responded to Dr. Spelman’s appeal and helped to raise $11,000 to build that first hospital.

• In 1938, the Smithville Community Hospital, operated by the Community Hospital Association, opened with 11 beds and flourished as it brought new and improved methods of health care to people in our area.
• In 1962, the new Hospital building was constructed and opened with 65 beds and progressed over the years to add an Intensive Care Unit, Spelman Rehabilitation Center, Pediatric Unit, and Department of Emergency Medicine.
• In October of 1970, Smithville Community Hospital was changed to Spelman Memorial Hospital in memory of the late Arch E. Spelman, M.D.
• In 1982, all philanthropic efforts on behalf of the hospital were consolidated into Spelman Medical Foundation.
• In 1989, after decades of operating as a successful rural hospital, Spelman Memorial Hospital joined with Saint Luke’s Health System to offer services at Barry Road as well as Smithville. Eventually, the two institutions merged into the one entity with two campuses, now known as Saint Luke’s North Hospital.
• In 1994, Spelman Medical Foundation elected to serve the new joint entity, but reserved its original name and an independent governing board. This independence is one of the Foundation’s strengths, just as the partnership with Saint Luke’s North Hospital offers the Foundation a great opportunity for making a difference in the community.