Today (Wednesday) marks the 75th anniversary of Trenton Memorial Hospital (TMH) — a milestone in local
healthcare that reflects three-quarters of a century of community care, connection, and partnership.
Originally opened on February 25, 1951, TMH was established as a hospital to serve the healthcare needs of
Trenton and surrounding communities and was dedicated as a memorial to the town’s war dead. The vision for the
hospital began in the early 1940s when local Lions and Rotary clubs joined forces to make the dream of a
community hospital a reality. From sod-turning in 1946 to the official opening in 1951, TMH has remained rooted in
community support and shared purpose.
What began as a vision shared by community leaders and service clubs in the 1940s has become a hospital that
today delivers tens of thousands of patient encounters every year. In 2024 alone, TMH recorded nearly 1,000
inpatient admissions, more than 33,000 Emergency Department visits, over 54,000 ambulatory visits, and more
than 46,000 diagnostic procedures, reflecting both the growing needs of the community and the expanding scope
of care provided close to home.
“Seventy-five years is more than a milestone. It is a story of people caring for people,” said Stacey Daub, President
and CEO of Quinte Health. “TMH was built by its community, and it continues to be shaped by the dedication of
the staff, physicians, volunteers, donors, and partners who believe deeply in the importance of strong local
healthcare.”
That commitment is evident in how TMH continues to meet rising demand. Emergency visits and ambulatory visits
have increased steadily over the past decade, highlighting both population growth and the hospital’s expanding
role in outpatient care.
“Behind every one of those numbers is a person, a family, and a moment when care truly matters,” said Lindsay
Butcher Dodds, Executive Director of the TMH Foundation. “Our community’s generosity and advocacy over the
past 75 years have helped ensure that Trenton Memorial Hospital remains strong, responsive, and ready for what
comes next.”
Volunteers have played a central role in that journey from the beginning, and they continue to do so today.
“The TMH Auxiliary is proud to be part of this legacy,” said Pat Lafferty, President, TMH Auxiliary. “For generations,
volunteers have supported patients, families, and staff, and helped shape the culture of care that defines this
hospital.”
As Trenton Memorial Hospital celebrates 75 years of service, the focus remains firmly on the future: continuing to
strengthen local healthcare through collaboration, innovation, and community partnership, just as it has done
since its earliest days.
