Before 1957, a broken arm or a heart attack meant a trip to Brooksville, or worse, Ocala. It wasn't good for anyone in Citrus County. In a medical emergency, every second counts. George Brannen, Sr. was a local banker whose fiscally sound practices allowed his local bank to survive the Great Depression. Soon after World War II ended, Brannen began his quest to attract doctors to Inverness, Florida. But, doctors didn't want to come to Citrus County because there was no hospital. In 1949, Brannen organized local businessmen and won state certification to open what would become a $400,000 hospital. The original Citrus County Hospital Board used its taxing authority to purchase an old school building. The board hired six doctors who oversaw 16 rooms that could serve 25 patients. It was a start. And, it brought much-needed medical care to the people of Citrus County. Over the years, Citrus Memorial has seen a lot of growth. What started as a small hospital began to grow in the 1970s when a bed tower was added to the facility. After that addition, a boom began. A second bed tower, medical office building and primary care offices throughout the county were built. Two walk-in clinics, multiple rehabilitation centers and several laboratory collection centers later - Citrus Memorial has become the second largest employer in Citrus County and a beacon of hope for our community.