Terry Memorial Hospital District was established by Texas Legislature in 1965. The business name initially was Brownfield General Hospital and later became Brownfield Regional Medical Center. Prior to the hospital district, the local hospital was owned and run by local physicians and was sold Terry County in the late 1950’s. Oversight was managed by a governing board appointed by the Terry County Commissioners. With establishment of the hospital district came the approval by Terry County voters to build a new facility. Construction of a 50 bed facility was completed and opened in 1971. Due to the large volume of patients another 22 private rooms were added in 1974, along with a new emergency department, 4 bed ICU, newborn nursery, physical therapy and LVN classroom. The facility was quickly utilized with admissions greater than the 76 bed capacity, resulting in numerous patients to be temporarily placed in various waiting areas, departments and hallways. The practice of medicine and regulations differed significantly during these early years compared to later decades. During this time period each of the physicians practiced obstetrics and performed their own surgeries.