Thayer County Health Services (TCHS) is a comprehensive primary care system dedicated to providing high-quality health and wellness services to residents of Thayer County and neighboring communities across Nebraska and Kansas.
Our organization includes a Level IV Trauma Center and a 17-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Hebron, Nebraska, as well as a primary clinic in Hebron and three satellite clinics in Bruning, Davenport, and Deshler. As a county-owned facility, TCHS serves patients within a 50-mile radius—reaching individuals from more than 288 communities.
In addition to our patient-centered hospital and clinic care, we offer a wide range of pre- and post-hospital services and health programs designed to support long-term wellness and improve community health outcomes.
A Tradition of Caring
The tradition of caring at Thayer County Health Services began well before the first patient was admitted on October 17, 1948. It all started in 1944, when local community members came together to explore the possibility of converting the former Hebron College and Academy into a hospital. At the time, they proposed transforming Thedora Hall—the girls’ dormitory of the vacant junior college—into the facility.
Fred Knaut, general manager of the Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society in Fargo, North Dakota, was approached to see if his organization would consider operating the hospital. While Knaut and several Lutheran pastors reviewed the proposal, they were ultimately unable to reach an agreement. As a result, the dream of a hospital in Thayer County was temporarily put on hold.
A Dream Becomes Reality
Two years later, on April 26, 1946, the dream of a hospital in Thayer County began to take shape. The American Lutheran Church had received an offer from a private corporation to purchase the former Hebron College building for apartment use. Acting quickly, the Hebron Chamber of Commerce hospital committee convened. Within just 30 minutes, they made the bold decision to purchase the building themselves.
Thedora Hall, the former girls’ dormitory, was offered to the Chamber for $4,500—with one important condition: it must be used for hospital purposes. Chamber members M.L. Christensen, J.K. Musgrave, Paul Korff, G.R. Taylor, W.E. Baker, and W.F. Powell signed the final agreement.
Financing the project became the responsibility of the people of Thayer County—and they rose to the challenge. During the summer and fall of 1946, local residents raised $35,000 to fund remodeling and startup costs.
To move the project forward, 25 incorporators representing communities across the county were selected. A nonprofit corporation was formed, and the following officers were elected:
- H.F. Nacke, Chairman
- G.H. Wrightsman, Vice Chair
- F.O. Woodard, Secretary
- H.R. Killinger, Treasurer
The organization was officially completed on December 27, 1948. The Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society (LHHS) provided technical assistance during development and eventually entered into a contract to lease and operate the hospital.
Remodeling
Remodeling of the future hospital began in September 1947, and when additional funds were needed to complete the work, Thayer County residents once again stepped up—raising another $30,000 to see the project through.
On Sunday, September 18, 1948, the community gathered to celebrate the hospital’s dedication. An estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people attended the ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the county’s healthcare journey.
The early facility was modest but functional. The laundry room was housed in an old coal bin, and an Army generator served as a backup power source. The operating room and kitchen were located in the basement, while patient rooms were situated on the first and second floors. Nurses not only provided care but also took on additional tasks—like sharpening stainless steel needles for reuse during their “idle time.”
The hospital thrived in its early years. By the early 1960s, following two decades of success, the Hospital Board and the Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society began outlining plans for a new, modern facility—the one that would eventually become the current hospital building.
A New Hospital
In 1968, a modern 22-bed facility opened its doors, ushering in a new era for healthcare in Thayer County. Known then as Thayer County Memorial Hospital, this new building represented a significant 
advancement in medical care and infrastructure for the region.
A decade later, in 1978, the Hebron Clinic was added, expanding outpatient services and enhancing access to care for the community.
As medical technology advanced and patient needs evolved, it became clear that further updates and remodeling would be necessary to ensure the hospital could continue delivering high-quality care.
The first patient at Thayer County Memorial Hospital was admitted on October 17, followed closely by the hospital’s first birth on October 26. This facility proudly served the community for the next 20 years, laying the foundation for what would eventually become Thayer County Health Services.
New Management
In early 1988, Thayer County concluded its 38-year partnership with the Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society (LHHS). A new chapter began with a Management Services Agreement established with St. Elizabeth Community Health Center in Lincoln—now part of CHI Health (Catholic Health Initiatives).
This partnership has continued to flourish, and both Thayer County and the TCHS Board of Directors remain highly satisfied with the ongoing relationship, which has played a key role in supporting and advancing healthcare services in the region.
The 90’s – Building for the Future
In the mid-1990s, the Thayer County Health Services Foundation launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to support a major expansion and renovation of the hospital. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of the community, the project was successfully completed in 1999.
The expansion included the construction of a new clinic attached to the hospital, along with the modernization and enlargement of many existing facilities and spaces, ensuring that TCHS could continue to meet the growing needs of patients with updated, high-quality care environments.
Thayer County Health Services’ Critical Access Designation
In 1999, Thayer County Health Services was officially designated as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) by the state of Nebraska.
This designation recognizes the unique challenges faced by rural hospitals and grants them greater flexibility under government regulations and federal healthcare policies. The goal of the CAH program is to help ensure continued access to cost-effective, high-quality care in rural communities.
The need for this designation arose from significant changes to the Medicare program in the mid-1980s, which altered how hospitals were reimbursed for treating Medicare patients. These changes inadvertently harmed small rural hospitals, as Medicare no longer reimbursed them for the full cost of care. This led many hospitals to lose money—especially on essential procedures—and pushed several toward bankruptcy or closure, particularly following the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997.
Before Congress enacted the national CAH program through the BBA, Nebraska had already taken the initiative by establishing its own CAH category through the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. While Critical Access Hospitals are similar to other hospitals in many ways, the key distinction lies in how they are reimbursed by Medicare. This alternative payment model enables small hospitals to remain financially stable while continuing to serve their communities.
Today, Nebraska is a national leader in the number of Critical Access Hospitals, and TCHS is proud to be among them. CAH status has played a critical role in helping Thayer County Health Services remain a strong, reliable source of healthcare for Thayer County and the surrounding region.
2004 Campaign
In the spring of 2004, the Foundation for Thayer County Health Services launched its second Capital Campaign, aiming to raise $1.5 million to fund a 25,000-square-foot expansion of the hospital.
The project was successfully completed in January 2007, featuring a new, state-of-the-art Radiology and Laboratory Department, six additional patient rooms, and a lower level dedicated to administrative offices.
Following this expansion, TCHS remodeled the space vacated by the Radiology and Laboratory Departments to create a modernized Surgery Center. This upgrade was made possible by a generous gift from the Erwin A. Dunker estate. The Surgery Center was completed in 2008, with an open house celebration held on May 2, 2008.
Electronic Medical Records
Thayer County Health Services successfully transitioned to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) for all patients across its hospital and clinics. This important project was made possible by a $1.6 million Health Information Technology (HIT) grant awarded to TCHS in the fall of 2007, significantly improving patient care and data management.
2015 Building Campaign
On August 2, 2015, TCHS broke ground on a major $14.8 million hospital renovation and wellness expansion. This transformative project was fueled by a generous $6.9 million gift from the estate of Glenn Korff, a proud Hebron alumnus.
The centerpiece of the campaign was the addition of a 17,000-square-foot Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, located on the north side of the hospital’s lower level.
The building project was completed in four phases:
- Phase I: Construction of the Korff Fitness and Wellness Center.
- Phase II: Renovation of the vacated Rehabilitation Department space into a new Kitchen and Cafeteria.
- Phase III: Conversion of the old Kitchen and Cafeteria into a new Specialty Clinic.
- Phase IV: Renovation of two existing patient rooms into Labor and Delivery Suites, along with relocating the Emergency Room closer to the hospital Nurses Station to enhance patient care and staff efficiency.
Investing in Healthier Tomorrows
To help fund the building project, the Foundation for Thayer County Health Services successfully completed the Capital Campaign titled “Investing in Healthier Tomorrows,” raising $1,000,000 specifically for Phase II of the building project—the renovation of the kitchen and cafeteria.
The latest renovation and wellness improvements were completed by spring 2018. To celebrate, an Open House was held on April 29, 2018, inviting the public to tour the updated facilities and experience the many enhancements firsthand.
These recent upgrades position Thayer County Health Services to effectively meet today’s healthcare challenges while preparing to serve the future needs of Thayer County and the surrounding communities.