Walking the hallways at Backus Hospital, it’s obvious we’re a modern facility with advanced technology, specialty services and a patient-centered team guided by the overarching mission of providing outstanding care to the people of surrounding communities. I believe it’s exactly the kind of place William W. Backus and William Slater envisioned when spearheading the hospital’s construction in the late 19th century.
This year, the Backus family celebrates the hospital’s 125th anniversary. We can look back at our history nostalgically and proudly, mark various advancements in the present and think strategically and thoughtfully about the future. This is critical because healthcare changes a little more each day and we must stay abreast of and engaged in those changes in order to build upon the Backus legacy.
A lot has changed in the world since six stone and wood buildings bearing the name of prominent local farmer and businessman William W. Backus opened on an 18-acre parcel of land on Washington Street in Norwich on Oct. 4, 1893. The new hospital had 64 beds in two wings, one for male patients and the other for females, connected by a nursing school. Today, we are licensed for 213 beds — 131 for medical/surgical patients and 12 for critical care. Our nursing school closed several decades ago when university-based programs became more popular, but we still enjoy participating in the education of nursing and other healthcare students.
What I like most about looking back is trying to imagine how things might have been. People like to say things were simpler when Backus first opened its doors, and in many ways they were. But, I can’t imagine having to treat malaria, cancer or polio without the many medical advances, medications and tools that have been developed through the years for use in our much more modern and complex world.
The largest non-government employer in Norwich, Backus is a very busy place today with more than 65,000 visits to our Emergency Department and 11,000 inpatient visits each year. We pride ourselves on maintaining the feel of a community hospital while our affiliation with Hartford HealthCare means we can offer the latest technology, skilled specialists and advanced services to best meet the needs of people in eastern Connecticut. We have moved key services to convenient locations off the main campus to best meet the needs of our patients, and we have tapped Hartford HealthCare for specialists in urology, headache, surgical weight loss and cardiology to ensure people can get the care they need close to home.
For our 125th anniversary year, we are sharing the history of Backus in several ways. A beautiful 12-month calendar featuring historic photos and details was unveiled in December and available to anyone who donates $125 or more to the annual campaign (https://backushospital.org/give-to-backus/annual-appeal). We’ve also set the date for a festive gala on Sept. 29, and will mark Founders Day in October as well.
It is a year to be especially proud to be part of the Backus Hospital family, contributing to a growing legacy and caring for the people of eastern Connecticut for another year. Together, we can enjoy our history and build our future. Thank you for all you do every day.
— Donna Handley, East Region President