1960s
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John C. Lincoln Hospital and the
surrounding area as it appeared
in 1965.
The groundbreaking ceremonies
for the new multi-storied John C.
Lincoln Hospital attracted a large
audience and local luminaries.
From left to right: Arizona
Governor Paul Fannin, John C.
Lincoln II, chairman of the board
Ray Cowden, Helen C. Lincoln,
architect Ed Varney and contractor
Robert McKee.
Desert Mission volunteer dentists
visited Sunnyslope elementary
schools, bringing toothbrushes
and dental care to area children.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony for
John C. Lincoln Hospital's helipad,
the first in Phoenix. From left to
right: Chet Hansen, Helen C.
Lincoln, Ray Leitner, Phoenix
Mayor Milton Graham and Pat
Campbell, RN.
1960s - Phoenix continued the exponential growth begun in the 1950s. By 1965, 500,000 people lived in the city. The demands for increased quality medical care grew as steadily as the population.
1961 - John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as President of the United States.
1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis.
1963 - John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Lyndon B. Johnson was inaugurated as President of the United States.
1963 - Finally, John C. Lincoln's vision of a modern hospital facility was realized. After years of dynamic fundraising, in particular by Ray Cowden, sufficient funds were secured. On May 14, 1963, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new multi-storied John C. Lincoln Hospital.
1963 - Dr. Martin Luther King gave his landmark "I Have a Dream" speech.
1964 - The Civil Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
1964 - U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona became the Republican nominee for president.
1964 - The United States began its military presence in Vietnam.
1965 - On Jan. 7, 1965, dedication ceremonies were conducted for the $3 million John C. Lincoln Hospital. The new facility included a large laboratory, X-ray rooms, pharmacy, gift shop, dining room and kitchen, business and administrative offices, a chapel, six operating rooms, a recovery room, an intensive care unit, and 37 semi-private rooms, five labor rooms, two delivery rooms, a nursery and a waiting room for fathers. Innovations included nursing stations and a pneumatic tube system for fast delivery of drugs and other small items.
1966 - A new emergency building opened at John C. Lincoln Hospital at a cost of $300,000 to meet the growing demand for medical services. Inside the new building were two dental rooms so volunteer dentists could continue providing free dental care to low-income families.
1966 - Herbert Hancox announced his retirement as administrator of the hospital. He planned on continuing his work as administrator of Desert Mission, but two days after his retirement, he died from a heart attack. Raymond Leitner was named administrator of John C. Lincoln Hospital, the second administrator in the hospital's history.
1967 - Sir Godfrey Hounsfield develops the CATscan.
1967 - John C. Lincoln Hospital became the first hospital in Phoenix to build and operate a heliport approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for emergency helicopters. Adminstrator Ray Leitner predicted that helicopters would become a necessary part of emergency medical service in the sprawling Phoenix area.
1968 - Coronary artery bypass surgical technique developed.
1968 - The Central Arizona Project was approved by President Lyndon B. Johnson, assuring future water supplies for Phoenix, Tucson and the agricultural corridor in between.
1969 - American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon.
1969 - Richard Nixon was inaugurated as President of the United States.
1969 - The John C. Lincoln Hospital Auxiliary sponsored the first Night of Gold Ball, an annual fundraising event that continues today.
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