History
Antelope Valley Medical Center has rich history of serving the local community
with heart. It was not only the first hospital in the Antelope Valley,
it continues to be the local healthcare leader providing a more comprehensive
array of services than any other facility within 50 miles. Local residents
and visitors alike can count on AVMC to deliver exceptional care right
here in the Antelope Valley.
Find out more about AVMC’s milestones since 1955.
The First Decade
1955
After two years of construction, Antelope Valley Hospital opens with 86
beds on October 12.
1957
The Women's Auxiliary was formed.
1960
The 24-hour Emergency Room opened, but there were no full-time emergency
room doctors. Physicians volunteered to take one 24-hour rotation a month.
1962
A new wing expanded the capacity to 149 beds.
1964
Alpha Charter Guild was formed as a way for young women to support the
hospital, which includes raising funds through its annual debutante ball.
The first Hourglass Ball was held in May 1965, a tradition that is still
held each Thanksgiving weekend.
Expanding & Innovating
1971
Mental health unit opened.
New to You Thrift Shop opened. Staffed entirely by auxiliary volunteers,
thrift shop sales benefit the hospital.
1972
The Antelope Valley Healthcare District board voted to change its name
to Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center.
1973
The Hospital Foundation was created to raise funds for the hospital.
1974
New south wing added 39 medical-surgical beds, including a combined Intensive
Care-Coronary Care Unit and a special procedures room, a new recovery
room for surgery and a progressive care unit on the second floor. The
hospital was now at 184 beds.
1979
AVMC added the Sexual Assault Response Services (SARS) program, which provides
care for sexual assault victims.
1983
Outpatient Treatment Center added.
1988
Tower of Progress opened. At 5 stories, AVMC became the tallest building
in the area. With the addition of its 169,000 square feet of space, the
hospital increased to 260 beds.
1999
Regional Valley Surgery Center opens offering outpatient procedures and
surgeries.
Adding Services and Award‑Winning Programs
2003
Antelope Valley Outpatient Imaging Center opened offering outpatient state-of-the-art
radiology procedures.
2006
Women & Infants Pavilion opened with 39 private rooms that are furnished
with special labor and delivery beds and bassinets, as well as a state-of-the-art
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and three surgery suites.
2007
AVMC was approved as a STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Receiving
Center, which means that patients who are having acute cardiac myocardial
infarction (heart attack) are brought directly to AVMC. AVMC has demonstrated
the fastest “medical contact-to-balloon” time of all Los Angeles
County STEMI receiving centers multiple times since receiving certification.
2009
All AVMC facilities and properties became tobacco-free zones, providing
a healthier environment for all who visit or work at the hospital.
2010
Achieved Joint Commission Accreditation, which means AVMC demonstrates
compliance with national standards for patient safety and quality of care.
AVMC became the only Level II Trauma Center in the Antelope Valley.
Antelope Valley Healthcare District named Most Innovative Healthcare District
by the Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD), recognizing
AVMC’s commitment to improving the standards of care for the community
through leadership, achievement and innovation.
2011
AVMC began construction on the Master Facility Plan. The first phase was
a $30 million investment that included facility upgrades and program enhancements,
such as expanding parking, adding a main entrance patient drop-off/pick-up
canopy, redesigning and expanding the café and main lobby, centralizing
the imaging department, and creating the Institute for Heart & Vascular Care.
2012
The Joint Commission certified AVMC as a Certified Primary Stroke Center,
signifying that AVMC provides the most advanced stroke care and ensures
a team of specialized stroke neurologists and nurses are available at
all times.
2013
The AVMC Community Resource Center opened. The 56,195-square-foot, two-story
medical and education center includes a full-service cancer center, conference
center, 172-seat auditorium, and physician offices.
2014
Institute for Heart & Vascular Care opened to ensure that patients
have access to complete cardiovascular care – from diagnosis to
treatment – in one convenient location.
2015
AVMC designated a Baby-Friendly facility, which recognizes the hospital’s
support of breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.
The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care awarded AVMC full Chest Pain
Center Accreditation, making it the first facility in the Antelope Valley
to achieve this designation.
2016
The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations
in the United States, named AVMC a Top Performer on Five Key Quality Measures®.
The cancer program at AVMC earned a three-year accreditation as a National Comprehensive Community Cancer Center from the Commission on Cancer
OneLegacy, the organ and tissue recovery organization serving the seven-county greater Los Angeles area, named AVMC a top-performing hospital for organ donation out of more than 240 hospitals.
