A Century of Healing
John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital was officially dedicated on June 30, 1925. Fueled by community support and a mission to bring the nation’s best care to South Georgia, Archbold has been a leader in the region for more than a century.
Archbold celebrated our centennial anniversary with numerous events, commemorations, and celebrations throughout 2025. We recognized the people who helped make Archbold the region-leading healthcare system it is today and remembered many significant milestones in our first 100 years. While the centennial celebrations may be over, Archbold's story is just beginning.
This page contains archival links related to many aspects of Archbold's centennial celebrations.
Centennial History
A leading aspect of our 100th Anniversary celebration is Archbold's centennial history book, A Century of Healing: Centennial Reflections on the John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital, carefully compiled by longtime Archbold physician and historian Dr. Chip Bragg. A Century of Healing represents the most complete compilation of Archbold history ever published. This 620-page book represents years of research and a century of Archbold's life-changing presence in our region. For more information about the book and how to purchase a copy, please visit www.archbold.org/book.
The Archbold Marketing & Public Relations Department recognized significant people and milestones in Archbold's history with a series of articles published throughout the year. Click here to read the complete set of Today in Archbold History articles.
The Summer 2025 edition of Archbold Magazine shared a history of the Archbold system and recognized some of our longest-serving team members. The Spring 2025 edition of Thomasville Magazine also included a story on Archbold's history. Dr. Chip Bragg and Dr. Daryl Crenshaw appeared on WALB's Dialogue program to share more about the book, the history of our hospital, and the future of the Archbold system.
A general history of the Archbold system from its founding to today is available here. The Archbold History Wall, located to the right of the information desk in the Main Lobby of Archbold Memorial, tells the story of Archbold's first 100 years. It contains photographs and artifacts dating back to Archbold's earliest days.
Historical Marker
A historical marker was unveiled on Archbold Memorial's front lawn on June 30, 2025, exactly one hundred years since the hospital's official dedication. State and local leaders, Archbold team members, and members of the public gathered to celebrate the milestone. Archbold was presented with a proclamation from the Georgia House of Representatives and cupcakes were enjoyed throughout the day. Photos of the event are available here.
Centennial Videos
We also celebrated our 100th anniversary with a series of videos recognizing Archbold's impact on the region. Our primary Centennial Video was viewed more than 300,000 times during the year. Additional videos featured interviews with Kellie Odom, RN, MSN, HRM, CLNC, Director of Nursing at Archbold Memorial; Shelley Zorn, Director of the Thomasville & Thomas County Payroll Development Authority; Daryl O. Crenshaw, MD, FASH, FACP, FASN, Archbold Nephrologist; Lorraine M. Williams-Rahming, MD, MPH, FACS, Archbold Otolaryngology Surgeon; and Chip Bragg, MD, Archbold Historian and retired Anesthesiologist.
Continuing a Legacy
John F. “Jack” Archbold donated $1.5 million to build John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in memory of his father in 1923. Archbold was the owner of Chinquapin Plantation and a frequent visitor to Thomasville, and his gift was the first in a century-long tradition of fervent community support of healthcare in South Georgia. As it opened in 1925, Archbold remains a not-for-profit, community-led organization committed to the people of the region.
Many Archbold supporters and employees made gifts to the Archbold Foundation to commemorate the centennial anniversary and contribute to its mission to build and sustain a financial legacy that supports Archbold and healthcare access in our community. Supporters also celebrated with a benefit gala at Jack Archbold's Chinquapin Plantation in the spring.
Donations made to the Archbold Foundation's Centennial Campaign helped to fund the New Maternity Center at Archbold Memorial. A Dedication & Open House was held in April 2025, the new Mother/Baby Unit opened in May 2025, and the new Labor & Delivery Department welcomed its first baby in September 2025. If you'd like to support the mission of the Archbold Foundation, please visit the Archbold Foundation website.
Other Happenings
Throughout the year, the Centennial excitement could be felt around the Archbold system. Every Archbold team member was gifted an official centennial t-shirt to wear throughout the year. During Hospital Week, Archbold team members gathered to make the shape of a giant "100" on the lawn of Archbold Memorial. On the weeks surrounding the 100th anniversary, banners hung in Downtown Thomasville depicting historic photos of the hospital and early its leaders. Celebratory signage hung around the Archbold Memorial campus, at each system hospital, and even on elevator doors. In April, Archbold was proud to participate in the Rose Show & Festival, a Thomasville tradition that even predates our hospital. A centennial-themed float was entered in the Rose Parade and Archbold was well represented in the Rose City Walk by team members wearing centennial-themed shirts. A year that began with a historic snow storm, 2025 was full of events and excitement. The opening of Archbold Orthopedics, annual celebrations of Hospital Week and Nurses Week, successful events like Pink Affair and Pink Run, and so many examples of Archbold making headlines with advancements and achievements make one thing clear: we didn't just celebrate history in 2025, we made it!
Thank you to the thousands of community members and Archbold employees who joined us to celebrate our Centennial Anniversary and helped make the year a success!
