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ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital Celebrating 125th Anniversary
- May 20
- 3 min read
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital is hitting a milestone in 2026.
The hospital is celebrating its 125th anniversary – having started in 1901 after local doctors came together to provide medical care to the Defiance community. Three years later, they opened a brick hospital on Hopkins Street allowing the hospital to continue to grow with the community.
“From its beginnings as a small brick hospital built by local physicians, the growth and evolution of ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital has been guided by the vision, support and trust of the Defiance community,” reflected Keith Burmeister, president of ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital.
“Each expansion, from the early days on Hopkins Street to today’s modern campus, reflects a shared commitment to caring for neighbors and ensuring the health and well-being of those who call this community home.
“As the community grew, so did the hospital, leading to a move to East Second Street, where a new building opened in 1951 and continued to expand in the decades that followed,” Burmeister continued.
In 1986, the hospital became affiliated with ProMedica.
Burmeister said that affiliation strengthened “access to care across the region” as ProMedica includes 10 hospitals throughout the area and “an expanding provider network that connects patients to specialists in more than 55 medical disciplines.”
In 2002, the new state-of-the-art hospital opened on Ralston Avenue in Defiance. A second building on the campus – which expanded outpatient and pediatric services – opened in 2018.
The saltwater pool and pediatric gym were added in 2018 when the hospital’s office moved into Medical Office Building 2. The saltwater pool is not only easier on patients’ skin but “the zero-entry design allows access for many more patients” than the previous therapy pool. Rehab
services also have grown since 2018 with the expansion of pelvic health, pediatrics, vestibular therapy, cancer rehabilitation, dry needling and bariatric presurgical consults.
In 2025, ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital had more than 106,000 outpatient visits in addition to conducting 4,600 surgeries. There were 360 babies delivered as well. The hospital staff overall has grown to more than 100 physicians.
“As Defiance has grown and its healthcare needs have evolved, so too has the hospital, expanding services and facilities to provide high-quality care close to home,” Burmeister acknowledged. “As part of ProMedica, this longstanding, community-driven mission has been strengthened, allowing ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital to continue delivering exceptional care while carrying forward more than a century of dedication to the people it serves.”
In addition to providing health care services to the greater Defiance community, ProMedica Defiance also has supported the community in other ways such as scholarships and sponsoring local events.
“ProMedica has long been committed to giving back to the Defiance community, actively engaging in a variety of initiatives that align with its mission to improve health and well-being,” Burmeister pointed out. “This commitment is evident through numerous programs and partnerships that enhance access to healthcare, promote healthy lifestyles and support local organizations.”
A celebration of ProMedica Defiance’s 125th anniversary was held during a special event on April 30 at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. During the event, the hospital’s long-time physicians, employees and volunteers who “have helped shape that legacy” were honored.
Burmeister pointed out that volunteers play a “vital role in the success of ProMedica hospital by enhancing patient experience, supporting staff and improving operational efficiency.” He added that one remarkable volunteer has been giving her time to the local hospital “for an incredible 90 years.”
Burmeister stated the 125th celebration will continue throughout 2026 with several small celebrations in addition to videos and employee events.
He added that ProMedica Defiance is looking forward to the next 125 years.
“ProMedica is continuously monitoring healthcare needs in the communities it serves and exploring ways to expand access to care to meet those needs,” Burmeister confirmed, adding hospital officials “will continue to keep the community informed about any new developments.”
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital has made some recent investments to help expand services and strengthen programs to aid the health and well-being of the area. The recent investments include advanced robotic-assisted surgery, a new coping center and new laboring tubs for maternity.
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital is grateful to have served the community for 125 years
and is looking forward to continuing to provide quality medical care to the area.
“Today, ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital proudly carries forward more than a century of caring for the Defiance community,” Burmeister stressed.
