In 2025, Westerly Hospital will celebrate its 100th birthday – a century of providing residents of southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut with safe, comprehensive and compassionate medical care – a mission that continues today in affiliation with Yale New Haven Health.
The idea for a community hospital in Westerly first took hold in the early 1900s. In fact, a capital campaign seeking to raise $250,000 for construction of a building raised more than $800,000, a sign that residents and businesses endorsed the idea wholeheartedly. The hospital first opened its doors in 1925, welcoming anyone who needed care, just as it does today.
The hospital faced its first major disaster response in 1938, when the infamous “Hurricane of ‘38” resulted in hundreds seeking help. Stories from the hurricane include nurses and doctors climbing over downed trees to make their way to the hospital to help patients. That spirit of putting patients first continues to be a hallmark of care at Westerly Hospital.
Continuing to grow over the years, Westerly Hospital added a new inpatient wing 1964, and campaigns in the 1980s led to improvements to the Emergency Department, construction of four new operating rooms, an intensive care unit, a large laboratory and an ambulatory care unit.
Westerly Hospital faced financial challenges at the turn of the 21st Century, leading to its eventual affiliation with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. Then, in 2016, both Westerly and L+M hospitals joined with Yale New Haven Health, one of the country’s leading health systems also affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine.
Other hospitals in the Yale New Haven Health system include Yale New Haven Hospital, Greenwich Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital, all in Connecticut. The health system also owns a leading medical group called Northeast Medical Group.
Today, Westerly Hospital is stronger than ever, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that include robotic surgery capabilities, a new cardiac catheterization laboratory and a geriatric psychiatry unit. Services include but are not limited to Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Heart and Vascular care, Oncology (in affiliation with Smilow Cancer Hospital), Orthopedics, Urology and Wound Care. The hospital’s Acute Stroke Ready Emergency Department is always open.
As it approaches its 100th birthday, Westerly Hospital is still staffed by a majority of local area residents who are trained and certified in their fields, and committed to safe, compassionate care for their friends, neighbors and families. Backed by a health system that has the resources and specialists to meet any patient’s needs, Westerly Hospital today is proud to offer world-class care close to home.
Yale New Haven Health enhances the lives of the people we serve by providing access to high value, patient-centered care in collaboration with those who share our values.
Yale New Haven Health is committed to innovation and excellence in patient care, teaching, research and service to our communities.
Integrity Doing the right thing
Patient-Centered Putting patients and families first
Respect Valuing all people
Accountability Being responsible and taking action
Compassion Being empathetic
For our patients’ convenience, we offer laboratory as well as primary and specialty care services at the main Hospital building at 25 Wells Street, the Morgan Medical Building at 45 Wells Street, L+M Stonington Medical Center in Pawcatuck, CT, and at Wood River Health Services in Hope Valley, RI. Primary and specialty care are are offered through Northeast Medical Group.
Outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services are available at our 81 Beach Street location in Westerly where we offer convenient parking and access to a wide variety of equipment and clinical expertise to best meet the needs of our patients.
Comprehensive diagnostic imaging services are offered through at our Diagnostic Imaging Center at Westerly Hospital located at 25 Wells Street in Westerly, and limited services are offered at Wood River Health Services.
Westerly Hospital offers a number of support groups and community education programs throughout the year, free of charge. Find out more in Support Groups and Social Work and in Classes and Events.
