Staff at Adventist Health Tulare prepare for its reopening in this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, after a one-year closure.

Adventist Health Tulare will celebrate the hospital’s 75th anniversary Sept. 22 with an event featuring updates on the Tulare Tower project and the announcement of what organizers say will be the largest donation in the hospital’s history.

The celebration will also recognize the 80th anniversary of the Tulare Local Healthcare District, which is constructing the tower addition.

Representatives from both organizations will reflect on the partnership behind the project, recognize those involved and discuss plans to expand health care services in the community.

“The hospital has been a vital part of the community for 75 years,” said Tim Haydock, operations executive with Adventist Health Central California Network. “Since the hospital became a part of Adventist Health in 2018, we have been honored to increase services that are crucial to improving the community’s health and wellness, including lifesaving heart care and breast care coming soon.”

Adventist Health Tulare maintains an “A” patient safety grade from The Leapfrog Group and has earned the American Heart Association’s Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition.

It is also accredited as a primary stroke center by The Joint Commission and as a Geriatric Emergency Department by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“For 80 years, the Tulare Local Healthcare District has reflected this community’s commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare, and the opening of the hospital 75 years ago stands as one of the most important milestones in that history,” said Randy Dodd, CEO of the Tulare Local Healthcare District. “As we recognize these two significant anniversaries, we honor those who had the vision to establish the District and build the hospital as well as those who continue to care for our community today.”

Tulare Regional Medical Center, now Adventist Health Tulare, was shuttered for nearly a year after the hospital declared bankruptcy on October 26, 2017. The facility reopened Oct. 15, 2018, after the Tulare Local Healthcare District and Adventist Health agreed to lease terms under which Adventist paid the district $2.335 million a year to lease the building and extended a $10 million loan to help retire debt and reopen. Adventist Health took over the lease and license in March 2019 and renamed the hospital Adventist Health Tulare that April.

The public celebration will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at Adventist Health Tulare, located at 869 N. Cherry St. in Tulare. It will help kick off a series of community celebrations planned by the hospital and health care district in the coming months.