Our Story

Our story in many ways begins on Dixie Street. But really, it begins in the homes and farms throughout west Georgia. That’s where the need for a local hospital was first realized and where so much sacrifice went into building Tanner Memorial Hospital in Carrollton.

Since that first hospital opened in 1949, Tanner Health System has been a cornerstone of health and wellness. Our services have grown, but we never forget our roots as a hometown hospital and the personal level of care that has been our signature for generations.

Watch a video about our growth story.

Key milestones

Discover how Tanner Health System has grown over the years.

1949 – Tanner Memorial Hospital was established in Carrollton, Georgia, by a visionary group of physicians and community leaders. The hospital was named for the family of Carrollton grocer C.M. Tanner, who gave $75,000 toward the hospital’s construction. 

1985 With the blessing of the Tanner family, Tanner Memorial Hospital officially changed its name to Tanner Medical Center (i.e., Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton). Tanner also grows into a two-hospital system as the former Villa Rica City Hospital joins the organization, becoming Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. 

1988 Tanner underwent a change of governance, introducing the Tanner Medical Center Inc. Board of Directors.

1997 – With two hospitals and a growing line of services, Tanner Medical Center Inc. adopted a name more reflective of its role in the community: Tanner Health System.

1998 – Higgins General Hospital in Bremen affiliated with Tanner, expanding the range of services the hospital could provide and housing many of its new specialties.

2003 – Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica moved patients from the original hospital built in the 1950s to a new, 40-bed hospital.

2009 – Willowbrooke at Tanner opened in Villa Rica, becoming the first new, inpatient behavioral health facility built in Georgia in at least 20 years.

2017 – Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama opened in Wedowee, Alabama, after 86% of Randolph County voters supported the new hospital in a special referendum. The hospital replaced the former Wedowee Hospital.

 

Blogs

MyChart Makes Managing Your Kids’ Health Care Convenient
MyChart Makes Managing Your Kids’ Health Care Convenient

From yearly checkups to vaccinations, physicals and more, Tanner’s MyChart app makes managing your kids’ health more accessible and convenient — and it's for free!

11 Ways To Stay Safe When Running
11 Ways To Stay Safe When Running

Read tips on how to stay safe when running in public.

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