Bethel Baptist Hospital, Inc.

Address	Fortich St., Sumpong, 8700 Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
Phone	(088) 221-2256/ (088
Fax	(088) 813-2708
Website	http://bbhi.org
Email	[javascript protected email address]

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Bethel Baptist Hospital Incorporated (BBHI) started as a dispensary in the 1930�s under two missionary nurses from the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) � Miss Rhoda Little and Jeanne Waggoner (later Mrs. Tentarelli). This four-framed structure with thick cogon grass roof was located in a lot bought by Rev. Henry De Vries who had come as a missionary to Bukidnon in 1925. The dispensary met the needs of the Bukidnon and Manobo ethnic tribes who came for their health needs. As the work expanded, Ron (a pharmacist) and Laura �Davie� (a nurse) Esson arrived (1951) as new missionaries, and in 1952 Dr. Lincoln and Leonore (a nurse) Nelson added to the medical team. The old dispensary was dismantled and in the latter part of 1953 a cement block Clinic became the first structure of Bethel Baptist Hospital. During this time, Miss Teresa Habana joined the team as the first Filipino nurse. In 1955 the second wing was finished and the facilities were improved with nine hospital beds, an X-ray room, an operating-delivery room, and a nursery. Later, its bed capacity was increased to twenty. The first Filipino doctor, Dr. Antonio Maravilla, came in August 1963. During the years, many American and Filipino medical personnel have shared their lives and skills as regular employees, visiting specialists, volunteers, and guests. In December 1973, Bethel Baptist Hospital was registered in the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. The ministry grew and facilities were improved. In 1996, the present main building was completed to provide more services to its growing clientele. Today, the BBHI has grown to be a big family of eighty-nine full time All-Filipino staff and several more either as contractual, part time or as retainers assisting in our operations as a 50-bed capacity hospital equipped with tertiary laboratory and high-end radiology facilities. Bethel Baptist Hospital Inc. is moving forward and looking towards the attainment of its vision in the next generation.

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