Celebrating 100 years of community care and commitment

In 1919, Charles L. Ayling, a Centerville businessman, launched a plan that would change the lives of thousands on Cape Cod – the creation of a community hospital. Ayling, along with seven other members of the Hyannis Board of Trade, raised $35,000 to purchase the summer residence of Dr. E. F. Gleason on the Hyannis inner harbor. Overlooking Lewis Bay, the three-story, wooden frame building opened for public viewing on Saturday, October 2, 1920, with 14 beds, two cribs and nurses’ quarters on the third floor. Cape Cod Hospital was born.

Over the last century, Cape Cod Hospital has grown to become Cape Cod Healthcare, as others in the community saw our region grow and were spurred into action to extend medical care across the Cape.

In 1964, a dedicated group of Falmouth residents engaged in a door-to-door campaign that led to the creation of Falmouth Hospital, another quintessential community hospital that joined with Cape Cod Hospital to serve our unique community. And today, with two hospitals, four Urgent Care centers, more than 120 medical practices, the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, JML Care Center and Heritage at Falmouth, our assisted living community, Cape Cod Healthcare has become a community leader providing the highest-quality care available. We have evolved to provide the latest in treatments, technology and a commitment to quality in advanced care, earning our hospitals 5-star ratings from the Centers from Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Today, Cape Cod Healthcare serves more than 200,000 patient a year, including nearly 90,000 in our four Urgent Care Centers and nearly 15,500 patients through the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod.

From the very beginning, 100 years ago, Cape Cod Healthcare has been dedicated to our mission: To coordinate and deliver the highest quality, accessible health services which enhance the health of all Cape Cod residents and visitors.

Cape Cod Hospital – and all of Cape Cod Healthcare – are an extension of the community that supports us. We are grateful for the many ways our neighbors and friends have continued to foster our growth, to the benefit of us all. We thank you and we thank our dedicated professionals for a century of commitment to the health of Cape Cod.