History Wyoming Medical Center

Throwback Thursday: 'Here's What Would Happen in a Disaster,' Sept. 10, 1953

By Kristy Bleizeffer Sep 20, 2018

"Before they go to the polls Tuesday to support or to junk a proposed million-dollar hospital expansion program, Natrona County voters have a right to know how thier hospital would respond to a similar disaster or epidemic call – be it under today's ever-crowded conditions or under conditions of adequacy after expansion." – Tribune-Herald, Sept. 9, 1953

Throwback Thursday: In August 1987, a river race, Miami Vice Seafood Spectacular & Angie the leech

By Kristy Bleizeffer Aug 16, 2018

Summer 1987 was a particularly epic time at Wyoming Medical Center, at least according the WMC employee newsletter, Hi-Lites. The August 1987 issue featured stories about a daring river raft race, winners of the Don Johnson look-a-like contest and a leech nicknamed "Angie" deployed to save a patient's right thumb.

Throwback Thursday: Ben and Hoss Cartwright create 'Bonanza' in children's ward - Aug. 4, 1961

By Kristy Bleizeffer Aug 9, 2018

In August 1961, the Central Wyoming Fair and Nite Rodeo scored two of the biggest television stars of the time: Lorne Greene and Dan Blocker, who starred in the hit "Bonanza" as Ben and Hoss Cartwright, entertained crowds nightly in front of the grandstands. On Aug. 4, they stopped by the children's ward of Natrona County Memorial Hospital.

Throwback Thursday: Volunteer gets 2,000 hour pin, June 15, 1977

By Kristy Bleizeffer Jun 28, 2018

In June, 1977, Kathleen Hemry was pinned for surpassing 2,000 volunteer hours at Memorial Hospital's information desk.

Throwback Thursday: New perfusion pump aids cancer patients, June 7, 1973

By Kristy Bleizeffer Jun 7, 2018

In June 1973, a donation of a new perfusion pump aided in the treatment of cancer patients.

Throwback Thursday: Casper's new ambulance, May 3, 1955

By Kristy Bleizeffer May 24, 2018

Before Natrona County Memorial Hospital established its own ambulance service in the 1950s, patients got to the hospital any way they could. Now we have a fleet of 10 buses making nearly 10,000 runs per year.

Throwback Thursday: WMC rallies to support families of co-workers killed in plane crash, May 1993

By Kristy Bleizeffer May 3, 2018

The May 1993 issue of Hi-Lites, WMC’s employee newsletter, featured a story of how the hospital used a personal tragedy to bring the community together.

Throwback Thursday: National Volunteer Week, April 1987

By Kristy Bleizeffer Apr 19, 2018

In observance of National Volunteer Week in 1987, Wyoming Medical Center volunteers (then called the Pink Ladies) were recognized with a two-page feature spread in Hospital Hi-Lites, the hospital's monthly newsletter.

Throwback Thursday: Nursery remodeled, April 12, 1953

By Kristy Bleizeffer Apr 12, 2018

On April 12, 1953, Memorial Hospital of Natrona County unveiled their newly remodeled, $21,000 nursery to the Casper Tribune-Herald.

Throwback Thursday: Easter delivery in pediatrics, April 1983

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 29, 2018

If you're stuck in the hospital, where does the Easter bunny deliver his treats? In 1983, kids at Memorial Hospital of Natrona County on Easter Sunday at least got a slice of cake out of the deal.

Throwback Thursday: March 17, 1960, 'Surgery Restores Life to Mother'

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 22, 2018

On March 17, 1960, the Casper Tribune-Herald reported the story of Mrs. Lewis George whose life was saved by a rare, emergency heart massage surgery.

Throwback Thursday: The Casper Project shows world how to fight rheumatic fever, March 17, 1957

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 15, 2018

In the 1950s, rheumatic fever, and its associated heart disease, killed 22,000 people a year. This was before the widespread use of antibiotics to combat strep throat, the disease's precursor. Casper showed the world how to stop rheumatic fever in its tracks.

Throwback Thursday: March 1910, construction begins on Casper’s first hospital

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 8, 2018

Wyoming legislators voted to build the Casper branch of the Wyoming State Hospital in 1909 and construction began in March 1910. Wyoming paid the $22,500 price tag while Natrona County supplied the land.

Throwback Thursday: A 1950s look at Memorial Hospital of Natrona County

By Kristy Bleizeffer Mar 1, 2018

The 1950s were a time of great expansion for Memorial Hospital of Natrona County (as the hospital was then named.) The Second Street addition opened on Dec. 15, 1955. It included telephone wires to patient rooms for the first time, a third-floor surgical area, a ground-floor kitchen, air conditioning, a pneumatic tube system and piped oxygen.